HAVE A SEAT!

I am a doer! I hate to leave things or be given things at the last minute because I DO NOT work well under pressure. What's the opposite of a procrastinator? Whatever it is, that's me! I love to see my home in order and when things need to get done, I will rarely ask for help. I prefer to get it done myself because I don't like waiting on people until they're good and ready to help. If help is offered, it's often declined unless I absolutely can't do it alone. And if help is not offered, that's alright because I've got it! That's the way I was brought up and it has hard wired me in adulthood. It is very difficult for me to even relax knowing that I have something to do. Thoughts of getting the task completed will intrude the whole time. So, my motto is to "do everything that I have to do and then I can do what I want to do". Unfortunately, sometimes this way of functioning spills over into my spiritual life. Often, when I sit down to spend time with God, my mind tends to wander all over the place with the to do list for the day. I have to command myself to be present in the moment.

Scriptures speak of a woman that was faced with a similar dilemma. In the book of Luke chapter 10:38-41, Jesus and His disciples visits two sisters, Mary and Martha. Mary was the younger of the two sisters and the one that didn't give too much attention to what needed to be done. As soon as Jesus settles Himself in the house Mary takes a seat at His feet and enjoys His teachings while responsible, older sister Martha is busy with preparations and left to do all the hosting, fixing, serving, etc. This leaves Martha frantic. In fact, the passage says she was distracted. She was running around, making sure everyone was eating, drinking and having a good time. Not to mention comfortable. That's what a good hostess does...when there's work to be done, there's no time for sitting! Even if you are in the presence of God Himself! Sound familiar??

In true doer fashion, Martha doesn't ask her sister for help. But deep down inside she really wants it, and she wants her sister to offer it. Instead, she complains (and I've done this too) to Jesus saying, "Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” (vs. 40) NLT. I've often felt like Martha. I've felt the pressure of being the one to not only be concerned with what needs to be done but being the only one to make sure it gets done. I've felt like if I don't do it, nobody will! And maybe that's you also...in your home, in your marriage, on your job, in your church and in your relationships. You want help but you won't ask for it. And no one offers to help or even reciprocate what you're doing and giving. You're the one doing ALL THE WORK! And it's exhausting, nerve wracking and UNFAIR, right? As a doer, I've found myself just as frustrated as Martha wondering why I'm the only one frazzled while everyone around me has "taken a seat", put their feet up and are just relaxing and enjoying the moments! Don't they see all that needs to be done?? And why is God allowing me to do this all by myself??

Now you would think that our, playing field leveling, Jesus would be sympathetic to Martha's plight and tell Mary to get up off her hind parts and help her sister. But no! His response to her was surprising and an actual rebuke. And we need to hear the truth in this today. He says, "my dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details. There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." (vs. 41) NLT. In other words, HAVE A SEAT! Could it be that Jesus was telling Martha to sit down and stop worrying about all the to dos? Could it be that Jesus was giving Martha the recipe for laying aside busyness, anxiety and worry about trying to juggle every single thing on her checklist? I hear the message loud and clear. And to all the Marthas reading this blog post I say to you, HAVE A SEAT! And have it at the feet of Jesus. If they won't offer help, then delegate responsibility and let them do it (something that's very hard for the controlling spirit of a Martha to do)! And if they don't do it, leave it alone but LEARN TO SIT! Everything doesn't have to get done on your timeline. Jesus was not at all concerned with Martha's preparations. He simply wanted to spend time with her. And that's what He wants from us. Our time and our presence. So, stop managing everything and everyone. Leave the work (physical, mental and emotional) alone for a while, for another day OR just leave it...and grab a chair by the Marys in your life!  And take Jesus IN. That’s the only thing that matters. It will change your perspective, your mindset and ultimately your life!  

~Dania Roberts