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There’s a story in the Bible about two sisters named Mary and Martha.
Jesus was over for dinner one night – a very big deal for them. Martha was frazzled with all the cooking and preparation and Mary wasn’t helping. Rather, she was sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to him.
Naturally, Martha complained to Jesus, asking him to tell her lazy sister to get up and help make dinner.
Here’s what Jesus said:
Martha, Martha…you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:41-42
Several weeks ago, when a literary agent told me she wanted to represent my book but didn’t think she could sell it because my platform is small, I went nuts. I read books, called meetings, guest blogged, bought domain names, thought up clever e-books and busied myself with the marketing end of being a writer.
There’s nothing wrong with that. After all, dinner must be made.
But all day yesterday, I battled the hunch that Jesus was becoming an abstraction – a terrifying thought because Christendom is already thick with phonies and I don’t want to be one. I promise, if I ever start faking this, I’ll quit and take up bowling.
This morning one of my teachers reminded me about Mary sitting with Jesus, and I realized I’ve become Martha. This is hardly groundbreaking theology, people say it all the time, but in my hustle for my book, I forgot the reason I wrote it in the first place:
- Because life is hard and Jesus helps.
- Because it’s not about homosexuality.
- Because our GPS is faulty.
- Because seeking his kingdom and his righteousness first, is the path to everything else.
- Because anybody, even pissed off skeptics, Democrats, gays, immigrants, addicts and Westboro Baptists are welcome at his feet. No matter who says otherwise.
This is why it can be hard to understand Christians sometimes. True, feet-sitting followers of Jesus Christ operate on a totally different framework, one wherein you have to believe it before you see it. For many of us, the things we’ve seen, prevent us from ever going back.
See, when you finally realize it’s irrelevant what you do or don’t do for Jesus, you can just rest at his feet and let him love you. That’s a tremendous relief.
Going to the Sea 
Excellent! Love this reminder to sit at His feet. 🙂
🙂
Thank you for sharing this Erin (we have the same name!!!). A wonderful reminder for all labourers in God’s vineyard. Yes, the Lord needs us to do things for the completion of His work here on earth, but He does not want us to be so caught up with our duties that we lose sight of the most important things–building a close relationship with Him.
It’s so simple, why do I have to keep learning it? Glad you’re here!
Surrender is key for feet-setters, and they seem to know it. All I can do for God can become an idol of my affection instead of Jesus. “God needs me” is a false idea flamed by my self interest in being noted as a person. When I surrender, or bury my abilities like seed, and refuse to concern myself with how I may be affective in writing, or any endeavor, I find myself at His feet again. He can take those abilities I buried like seed, and cause a garden of His making to grow. I can sit and hear Him while He tends the crops. Thanks Erin, great inspiration.
What a simple but profound comment. So happy you’re here Keith!
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