Pastor column
Published Friday, April 18, 2008
Cindy Parker
I am definitely not a Martha Stewart when it comes to house cleaning. When we plan to have special company, I start scrubbing my house. I usually even put my family to work — “Dust this,” “Vacuum that” — you know the drill.
But, when my visitors arrive everything changes. I want to spend time with my visitor, which is why they are visiting me. Although, if someone is visiting that I may not be comfortable with, then all of a sudden I can easily become distracted with this or that.
I have heard many sermons about the story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42). Most of them talk only about their different personalities.
Martha is the worker and Mary is the dreamer. It is always interesting to watch how the sermon is slanted depending on the personality of the speaker.
If the speaker’s personality is a dreamer than the slant of story is really pushed that Christianity is not just about working. If the personality is a worker than I hear statements like Jesus wasn't necessarily saying this or that.
Instead of Jesus making an issue about personalities, the word in the story that I believe he wanted to emphasize is the word “distracted” (Luke 10:40).
As far as personalities I find myself relating more with Mary but yet I can still find myself getting distracted from God because I am not feeling very comfortable with him at the time.
I may be uncomfortable with God because I am doing something that I know he would not approve of. Maybe I am uncomfortable with God because I don't trust him with the circumstances that are happening around me. Maybe I am uncomfortable with God because I don't believe God could possibly love me.
Mary understood how much Jesus loved her (John 11:2, Luke 7:47). She was not accepted by others because of her many sins but yet Jesus accepted her and loved her just where she was. That is why she was at his feet. Martha was distracted.
If Jesus was in the next room would you be at his feet or would you be distracted?
Cindy Parker is a Captain with the Salvation Army in Fergus Falls.
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