Scripture reading: Matthew 6:25–34

Don’t Just Do Something,

Sit There!

Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46)

 

Growing up in a pastor’s family, we often had guests in our home for dinner. I’ll never forget the day the bishop came! My dad was a Methodist preacher and having the bishop over for dinner was a big deal.  I still remember some of the stress and tension in the parsonage that day as we anticipated the arrival of our distinguished guest.

I wonder what it was like for Mary and Martha when the Second Person of the Trinity showed up for a meal at their home in Bethany (Luke 10:38–42). For Martha especially, the pressure must have been enormous! Not only was Jesus coming, but the meal probably included the twelve disciples, her brother Lazarus,  and several others. Martha was stressed to the max. Are the napkins properly folded? Are the flowers on the table? Will the meat be tender? Are the glasses filled? Will the soufflé flop? It must have felt like a three-ring circus. Thank goodness she had her sister Mary to help with the work.

But at some point during the evening, Mary went missing in action. No longer was she doing shuttle service between the kitchen and the dining room. Where could she be? When Martha realized that Mary had left her kitchen duties to join the men at the table she must have been furious. I can imagine the scowl on Martha’s face as she looked in the dining room to see her sister sitting there, just absorbing the beauty of that moment with Jesus: listening, loving, being. Martha must have thought: Who does she think she is, that sister of mine? Doesn’t she know there is work to do? Someone should help that girl understand what’s important. The heat coming out of the kitchen was not just being generated by the oven.

Hoping that someone would come to her aid, Martha burst in on the conversation in the dining room, thinking that surely Jesus would understand and come to her defense. “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me” (Luke 10:40). Don’t just sit there, Mary, do something! Actually, Martha makes a very good point. It does seem unfair that she is doing all the work. Her concerns seem legitimate to most of us. But rather than taking up her offense and sending Mary scurrying back into the kitchen, Jesus makes an amazing statement:

Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:41–42).

Few things Jesus ever said were more surprising than this! “Martha, cool your jets. Stop worrying about the meal. Why don’t you join us? Don’t let your service for me rob you of the joy of being with me! Don’t just do something, sit there.”

If you find yourself identifying with Martha today, being anxious  and troubled about many things and being upset at those people who don’t take on the burdens and duties you think they should, perhaps Jesus would say to you, Relax, calm down. There is only one thing that really matters. Sit here with me and just absorb the moment . . . be still and know that I am God!

 

 Worry, like a rocking chair, will give you something to do,

but it won’t get you anywhere.—Vance  Havner

 

point to ponder • Being is more important than doing.

prayer focus • Be still. Sit at Jesus’ feet.