I hear the voice of God calling, “My daughter, I need you to rest.”
“I know,” I respond, “But I HAVE to…”
He replies, “Choose what is better.”
“Are you a Mary or a Martha?” This question has plaqued too many women in bible studies. We force women to choose. To put themselves in a box. To see themselves either as Type-A driven personality or a laid back Type-B.
Who could have ever thought the story of two sisters would create such a debate.
But the fact is, I believe, God has called us to be both, Mary and Martha. And yesterday, I felt God prompting me to embrace the “Mary” that is within my soul.
For the last month, I have allowed the Martha in me to dominate. Distracted. Busy. Bossy. My “rest” consists of sitting on the sofa mindlessly watching Hallmark movies while I scroll through social media.
But God is calling me into true rest today, a Mary rest.
Now we like to think of Mary as this free spirit who only sat at Jesus’ feet and anointed Him with oil. But when Martha is complaining to Jesus about Mary, she said, “My sister left me.” This indicates Mary also was busy but she stopped and sat at His feet.
I don’t think God is concerned about my busyness. He just wants me to stop and enter into true rest.
What does true rest look like for me?
1. Daily, removing all distractions, all technology, silencing the phone and basking in His presence for few minutes.
2. Hearing his voice while reading an old fashioned paper Bible.
3. Praying in the spirit.
4. Worshipping without music. Just singing to him or declaring His goodness.
5. Actively listening for His voice and journaling what He is saying.
In the midst of the chaotic day before me, God is inviting me to come sit at his feet, drink from His cup and find a time a refreshing. He is asking me to walk away for a moment from my “Have Tos” and embrace my “Get to”. Oh, what an invitation.
Will you join me on this journey of rest today. Will you embrace the “Mary” that is within you? Will you choose the ‘one thing’ that is better?
“But the Lord said to her, “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.””
Luke 10:41-42 NLT