God is good to me in a great many ways, so why would I grumble? The danger of losing focus and finding that blessings become burdens, however, is age-old.
Flexibility
When I worked in an office, I would moan about rigid work hours. If only I could work from home, I would have more flexibility in how I used my time. Now I work from home. It’s a blessing. But I find myself getting anxious because there aren’t enough hours in each day to do everything I want to do. Aiyo … the pressure, the pressure.
Home
I am extremely grateful for my little home. I don’t take it for granted. Most single people on a modest income have just a room in a share house or live with family or friends. I love my home but, right now, it is messy. There are spiderwebs in the hallway. The windows are long overdue for a good clean. The garden needs weeding. Aiyo … the pressure, the pressure.
Hospitality
Hospitality is something I enjoy and which I like to think I do well … spider webs and all. But before friends come to stay, I have to clear the clutter off the spare bed in the office and move the computer and necessary piles into the bedroom. Producing tasty and varied meals day-after-day is a challenge for this single woman, who usually just cooks simple (though nutritious) food. Aiyo … the pressure, the pressure. (If you’re a friend who sometimes stays, don’t let this paragraph put you off. I want you to come. And I like cooking something a bit special from time to time.)
At the moment, my to-do list is somewhat out of control. “So why are you taking time to blog?”, you may well ask. Writing is something I sense God would have me develop and so the goal of producing one small achievable thing each week – even just a blog post – is a blessing which, I admit, threatens to become burdensome at times.
Lectio Divina
Last Sunday, I spent time doing Lectio Divina (contemplation on a Bible passage). The passage I focused on, Luke 10:38-42, is about Martha and Mary. Why Martha and Mary? Simply because it was available online easily – you can listen and do it too – just cut and paste this link: https://youtu.be/vszOJBibnF8
I think that God knew I needed to spend time in this passage. What stood out to me was the fact that Martha welcomed Jesus and his disciples to her home, but then got grumpy about all the work it entailed. Let me remind you of the story from Martha’s perspective.
Martha’s story
“I have a lovely home. God has been very kind to me. And to think that I am privileged to offer hospitality to the Messiah himself.
“He came to me … to ME … an ordinary Jewish woman. I was quick to invite them to stay. I say ‘them’ because Jesus was travelling with his disciples. Thankfully, it was only the twelve, and not the 72 that sometimes follow him around. 13 men in my living room is a stretch, but the Lord has blessed me with a lovely spacious home and we’ll make it work.
The tension builds
“I want everything to be perfect. I want them to be comfortable. I want the food to be just right – not too spicy, not too bland, and plenty of it. The floors and bathroom need constant mopping with so many people traipsing in and out. Others keep coming to the door too, wanting to debate theology with Jesus or to ask for healing or bread. Bread – ha – that’s my responsibility. I’m the host. Just think of that. Host to the Messiah.
“But I need help. Where is that sister of mine? I can’t do everything. The dough needs kneading, we’re almost out of fancy drinks, the bathroom needs a quick wipe-over and the vegetables need chopping.
Mary, lazy sod … she’s just sitting there listening. Always has her head in the clouds, that one. Honestly, she is impossible. Does she not notice all that needs doing for the Messiah? Does she not care?
“I can’t catch her eye, though it’s not for want of trying. She’s mesmerised by all he has to say. It’s all very well for her. She doesn’t have the responsibility of keeping everyone fed and watered. But she ought to do something to help.
The tension comes to a head
“As I scurry in and out with bowls of nuts, fruit and drinks, it must be obvious to anyone who cares that I am frazzled and frenzied. Ah – there you go. The Lord himself catches my eye. He’ll put my sister in her place. She hangs off every word he says, so I’ll get him to set her straight.
I speak quietly into the Lord’s ear as I lean over with a bowl of figs. “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord said. He, at least, doesn’t take my services for granted. He notices me. Cares about me. He calls me by name. He sees me as a woman – an individual – and not just as a busy hostess.
“You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed,” he continues. What? Worried and upset? They’ll be worried and upset if they’re not fed, if the bathroom is a mess and if the drinks run out. Then we’ll see what ‘worried and upset’ looks like. Hmmmph.
“… Few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” WHAT????????!”
Back to Suzanne’s ponderings
Luke doesn’t tell us how Martha reacts to Jesus’ firm words. We do read, however, that these same two sisters later related to Jesus in ways entirely consistent with their personalities once again (John 11:17-44). After the death of their brother, we see that Mary just wept and our Lord cried with her. Martha, on the other hand, remained practical and cerebral, even in her grief and confusion. Our Lord reasoned with her, his words cool and rational.
Later New Testament passages teach us that we all bring different gifts and skills to the community of believers. Martha was skilled at ‘doing’ – and particularly gifted at hosting – and she had the resources to do it. Were Martha’s gifts unappreciated and undervalued?
I think not. What, then, was the problem?
Attitude
It seems to me that the problem was Martha’s attitude. Her blessings – her home and the privilege of hosting the Messiah himself – had become burdensome.
What about me? Do I grumble even as I use the gifts given to me by God? Do my blessings become burdensome?
Flexibility of time is a blessing… but with it comes pressure to manage my time well. My cute little home is a blessing … but with it comes the responsibility to maintain it. Hospitality is an honour, but with it comes busyness. None of these are problems in and of themselves, but my attitude to them can be less than ideal.
Long ago, our Lord said, “Martha, Martha … you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed, only one” (Luke 10:41-42a NIV). Today, he could well say, “Suzanne, Suzanne … you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed, only one.” To which I could respond, “Well, Lord, you tell me – if I don’t do the translation work, academic study, lesson preparation, editing, communications, cleaning, cooking, sorting, shopping, reaching out in friendship and more, then who will?”
Progress
But I won’t say that. At least, not today. Today, I will say, “Lord, I’m sorry. I have lost focus again. Please will you help me to stay focused on you.”
And then I will lower my expectations. I will say ‘No’ to a few people, even though I don’t like doing that. I will settle down to the tasks in front of me with a calm and Christ-centred attitude. At least that’s the plan.
Right now, I need to get this blog post actually posted online. Then I must work on the next task on my task list. Oops … yes … as you can see, I’m a work in progress. As are we all.
May our blessings not become burdens.
