The Martha Badge of Honor

When I speak to women’s groups. . . the core message is always the same: Daily stress can be successfully dealt with by growing your love relationship with Jesus Christ in a deeply intimate way! Luke 10 becomes the backdrop as we explore times in our lives when we are mostly like Martha, and times we are mostly like Mary.

Every time I try to leave that” assignment from Him” and teach other truths, I sense the Holy Spirit pulling me right back to this Luke 10 love relationship truth – His message for busy women who are desperately trying to make it through another day in a somewhat victorious fashion.

During the past few days, seems I’ve received a new insight regarding our perception of how we are living out our busy lives. It’s apparent to me, that being a Martha is becoming a sort of status symbol for many women. I never hear anyone boasting of being like Mary, but over and over I hear my stressed out sisters proclaiming, with a laugh and a matter-of-factness, “I’m just a Martha!”

BEING MARTHA has become the acceptable norm and the acceptable sin!

Women everywhere, yes – Christian women – are proudly wearing their Martha badges as if it’s an honor to live a hectic and unfulfilled lifestyle; just accepting the lie of Satan that “that’s just the way it is!” After all, through all this busy-ness, “I’m fulfilling my calling of being a woman for Jesus!”

Listen, dear sister! If the thoughts above describe YOU, then you’re just not getting it!

In response to the disciples proclamation that they “now believe”, Jesus asks,
“Do you. . .? Indeed the hour is coming that you will leave me alone…” John 16:30-31.

Are you professing to your Lord that you love Him and trust Him and thank Him, and yet – leave Him alone so you can do ALL YOUR STUFF? Many women do that very thing – on a daily basis – giving Jesus words of praise, and then “leaving Him” so they can carry on with a life of service for Him!

From personal experience and based on Scripture, I can tell you – this will not work! You will eventually run out of steam – even from doing GOOD THINGS and NEEDED THINGS and HAVE TO GET IT DONE, things! God Himself, designed it that way. He will not allow you a life of victory and fulfillment, apart from a deeply personal love relationship with Him! Oh, it may work for a while, but when your life becomes “mostly about service” instead of “mostly about love”, you’ll not be fueled by God’s power, but by your resolve . . . and it will not last.

I understand that a love relationship takes time to grow. I also accept that our God has given us creative minds and is calling us to this holy place with Him. He will help you figure out how to have time with Him if you ask Him.

Let’s commit together, and remind our sisters . . .Jesus said, “Come away with me by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31