What is your attitude this new year? Are you excited about the upcoming blessings? Or do you feel un-sure, perplexed or even frighten?
You can take two attitudes. You can either be a Mary or a Martha (Luke 10:38-42). This story is about Jesus visiting His friends Martha, Mary and Lazarus in their home.
“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house” - Luke 10:38
I assumed it was a surprise visit. None of the three siblings anticipated it. You might have experienced something similar. Your doorbell rings and you see a stranger at the gate. You look again and the person looks familiar. Yes, I know this person. He (or she) is an old friend or relative you never saw for a couple of years. You greet the visitor and ask for a couple of minutes before you let him in. You clean the house in fast forward mode. You look around for what food you can offer. You rush to change to your best clothes. You do all of these at full speed before you let the guest in.
I assumed both Martha and Mary were shocked by His visit. But each one of them reacted differently. One of them served, cooked and gave Him the royal treatment. The other sat down at His feet and listen to His word.
Similar to the visit of Jesus, this New Year will also be filled with surprises. A family member tells you he has a critical illness. You get a note at your desk that HR wants to talk to you and you know its related to the ongoing retrenchment. Or any other news that you hope was just a dream. A dream that you wish will be gone when you wake up.
How will you react to these? Will you be a Martha or will you be a Mary?
Both women wanted to show their love to Jesus. One showed her love through serving while the other through listening.
“And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word” – Luke 10:39
You may feel uncertain about this year. Trials may come. But Jesus wants us to focus on one thing. Focus on Him before everything else.
“But one thing is needed: and Mary has chosen that good part and it will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:42
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