Being "Mary" in a "Martha" Season

A friend recently wrote something in an email to me that I can't get out of my head...

"If we don't provide a place and space for being "Mary" we will default into "Martha".... and we've turned Advent and Christmas into a "Martha season" when it should be a "Mary season" of waiting, watching and preparing our hearts for Christ."

Do you know the story? Martha is busy with preparations - after all, the Lord is over for dinner. Where is Mary, her sister? She's sitting at the Lord's feet soaking up every word. Naturally, Martha gets irritated with the lack of help and goes to Jesus with hopes he would encourage Mary to get up and help her. What was his response?

"Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:42

I don't know about you, but this story always leaves me conflicted. I want so badly to be Mary... simply sitting and listening and loving. But at my core, I'm a Martha. It's my nature to be busy - I love checking things off my list and multi-tasking. I feel like I'm wasting time if I'm not doing.

But Mary chose what was better. So how do I even attempt to become Mary? I've learned a few things over my years of trying. First, I have to be intentional. I won't default into Mary - I have to choose a time and place and stick to my decision. Second, I must pray for His Spirit to guide my "stillness" or I'll end up making lists istead of listening to Him. Third, I need my Christian sisters to hold me accountable and give me encouragement.

So, here we are in this "Martha season." The world will pull at us to get busy shopping, decorating, baking, and doing a million things that only leave us tired, frustrated and empty. We will have to be intentional if we want to follow the Lord's example to simply be and listen.

So my encouragement to you, sisters in Christ, is to BE INTENTIONAL. Do things differently this Christmas season. Don't know where to start? We have made a time and place to begin. Join us on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9:30-11:30 in the morning in the C/Y Worship Center. We will explore what it means to focus on Christ this Advent. But you will have to CHOOSE to come because there will be a million busy "Martha" reasons not to.

Join me in praying to be a Mary this Advent. Let's be intetional, and let's do it together. Make the decision and stick to it. I'll see you on Dec. 6.

Blessings, Heather