Living in the Spirit
July 16, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 10:38-42

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’

Perhaps it is the fate of the youngest of three children, taking on the traits of both parents. I somehow ended up with about equal shares of Mary and Martha. At least that is my sense. It may not be the observation of others. My mother was a Martha and as such she religiously built into her life time for prayer, time for Bible study, and time for service. My dad was probably more a male Mary. A lover of music, he enjoyed being around people, could debate his beliefs with anyone all day. He, however, never backed off from hard work, spending from sunup to sundown working in the fields of our farm or on other farms when needed.

I think it is important that we become attuned to our traits and work to enhance our strengths and strengthen the areas where we sense weakness. In a Bible study written by Fred Craddock many years ago, he said something very important: We sin in the areas of our greatest strengths. I thought of that statement when I read about Martha today. Jesus did not chastise Martha for cooking dinner and not sitting at his feet. He chastised her for not allowing Mary to be who she was.

The body of Christ at work in our world today needs all the talents, skills, personality traits, dreams, visions, and energy that its diverse members can bring to the table to usher in the Kingdom God longs for us to share. It takes dedication and perseverance to meld the breadth of beings in that body to do Christ’s work in the world today. We do not do this work alone. The Holy Spirit functions as our connector, companion, and advocate.

Prayer: Lord, help us to see the good in each person as we struggle together to address your call to be one. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.