Much to do about nothing

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“Experience is the mother of wisdom.�
Author unknown

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.� But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.�
LUKE 10:38-42 NASB

Have you ever noticed how most social functions and fellowships and gatherings are organized, set-up, put-on, cleaned-up and tore-down by only a few people? People like to attend functions but few like to get dirty in the process. I can sure relate to Martha when it comes to AA meetings. Even though it would be nice to have more people involved in service work, I have come to realize that the ones that just sit there and soak up all the good spirituality that goes around the table are the reason for the function. I have noticed at times at meetings that I get a little discouraged because there are many who just come in, attend the meeting, get what they need, and leave. A few others and myself are left to put all the literature up, put the tables back in place, clean the coffee pot, turn the lights off, and lock the doors. Just like Martha at times I want to go to the Lords and say, “tell them to help me.� And the Lord might say to me, “Jerry, Jerry, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, and they have chosen the good part, which shall not be taken from them.� This morning I look at the importance of the whole thing. Is it washing the coffee pot? Or is it that someone might draw closer to God, stay sober, and live to help someone else? The truth is that if we didn’t have others to serve. We wouldn’t be of much use. The Life Recovery Bible sheds light on this passage of Scripture, share this with me……….

“There is a difference between being spiritually committed to recovery and being preoccupied with recovery. This story about Mary and Martha illustrates the difference. Martha was so busy “doing for others� that she had no time or energy left for simply being with Jesus. In all her doing, Martha even became irritated at Mary for not being equally busy. Mary on the other hand, took time out to listen to Jesus. Recovery must be a recovery from the heart, not just a recovery where we act compulsively to look the part.�

Wow, that really speaks to me. Will I slack up on the amount of service I do? Probably not. Will I not complain about others who just come and go? I hope so. If I humble myself in this matter God will do for me what I could not do for myself……….JRE

“Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends, this is an experience you must not miss….Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives.�
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, page 89

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And Jesus replied to Martha... Mary is doing the better

It wasn't saying that Martha was doing wrong but that Mary was making a better choice.
Yes if Martha wasn't complaining or didn't have a complaining heart...even in her service work she could have listened better.

The intent of the heart can drive or take away our joy every time.

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check out the sticky on Grace- the second post has some interesting thoughts about Mary and Martha-