I admire people who don't need permission to relax in their own homes on a Tuesday if they need to rest. It's part of my make-up to keep moving until all the loose ends are tied up and I fall flat on my face from exhaustion because, although you may not realize this, it's all up to me. I blame the Proverbs 31 chick. Yep, whatever needs to be done is my responsibility and whatever doesn't get done is my fault unless I can peg someone else with it, in which case it's still my responsibility to figure out whose head should roll. Does this sound like the kind of life Jesus wants for us?
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.'"
Matthew 11:28-29
Like Martha, my life reveals a fierce struggle between works and rest, between control and faith. I'm still learning my boundaries, my part in God's kingdom, and when to give it a rest. Like Martha, I'm learning I'm not on God's Advisory Board (GAB) but still in training.
*When Jesus came to her home to teach (faith opened her door), Martha worked instead of resting at His feet in faith. She should have given it a rest because I've found that when people get hungry, they're willing to help in the kitchen.
*When she saw others "just sitting" while she worked, she grew resentful and intruded on Jesus' time and ministry with a divisive and critical spirit (works at its worst).
*When her brother, Lazarus, grew gravely ill, Martha's faith led her to send for the only One who could heal sick people.
*When Jesus arrived after Lazarus was in the grave, Martha ran to meet Jesus on the road alone with her struggling faith.
*When she said (my interpretation): "I did my part by sending for You, but You didn't come,"she revealed her faith in Jesus' Power but she also revealed her still-rearing-its-ugly-head works-mentality, doing her part but blaming others for not doing theirs.
*BUT when she said, "But I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask," Martha committed herself into a whole new realm of faith and rest in Jesus for Who He is and not just for what He could do. Jesus took this opportune moment to seal in her cautiously growing faith (see John 11:23-24).
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?'"
"Yes, Lord," she told Him, "I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." (John 11:25-27)
Martha's is one of the strongest faith-based declarations of Christ's identity anyone made during Jesus' lifetime. No one needed to rest more than caring, overworked, under-appreciated Martha, and after advising Jesus on just one last detail, she evidently closed her mouth and opened her heart to the glory of God through Jesus Christ.
"'Remove the stone from the tomb,' said Jesus.
'But, Lord,' said Martha, 'He stinks. Remember, he's been dead in there for four days!''No, YOU remember what we talked about out on the road. Remember what I said about believing? Remember how you, Martha, expressed who I am? Do you want to see the glory of God or not?" answered Jesus.
'Just sayin'" mumbled Martha."
Give it a rest, Martha, Robin, and all you others who can't leave well enough alone. Give it a rest and remember Who's the Lord of Life, no ifs, ands or buts.
"Do you believe?"
Lord, just because we haven't seen You work in a certain way doesn't mean You can't or won't. Strengthen our faith and help us give our mouths and minds a rest from solving, doing, saying, and feeling responsible for what lies outside our sphere of responsibility. Forgive us when we advise You or get in Your way. We want to depict what Your grace can do by resting in Your ability and providence. May we live with the light load of Your yoke on us and let You be God.
In the Name of Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, the One by whom we will live and never die.
"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him;
and even though you do not see Him now,
you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
1 Peter 1:8-9
Inspired by Jesus Calling
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