"Balancing Action and Contemplation"

Call to Worship  (inspired by Psalm 23)

We’ve come to worship God,  remembering the care and compassion of a shepherd     who leads us beside still waters. We’ve come to worship God, rejoicing in the safety provided by a shepherd    who carries a rod and staff, protecting us with passion and presence.

We’ve come to worship God, returning to the house of the Lord, where we’re welcome to dwell forever!

Opening Prayer

Loving Shepherd,

In gratitude we gather, grateful for your presence with us in sunshine and in the darkest of valleys.  You care for us each day of life, and will not leave us comfortless, even in the face of our largest challenges. So open us to a deep awareness of your saving love, even as we offer our praise to you this day.  

Moment for Stewardship

In John 9, we hear how Jesus healed the man born without sight, despite it being the Sabbath. Jesus did not ask the man if he wanted to be healed, but acted out of compassion, using this healing to teach his disciples that this blindness was not because of sin (either the parents’ or the man’s sin), but because the healing would reveal God’s works.

The man, questioned by the religious authorities, could only identify what happened to him, saying “one thing I do know that though I was blind, now I see.”  An amazing gift, freely offered as a Good News act!

As followers (disciples) of Jesus, we are also in the Good News business.  While we may not be able to heal physical blindness, we can accomplish amazing things when we work together in the name of Jesus.  

Over the years, thousands of individuals have been taught, healed and restored to full life in these spaces.

What about here?  How can we be involved in Good News acts?  We may step into a whole new way of sharing God’s love because of the gifts we offer back to God in our morning offering.

What will you give?

Prayer (Ephesians 5, John 9)

Gracious God, who created us in God’s own image, we are grateful for all that you have done for us, for all that you are doing in us, and for all that you will do through us. Open our eyes to see your presence among us, moving in powerful ways at all times and in all places. We love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.

Luke 10:38-42 New International Version At the Home of Martha and Mary 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Introduction

Luke 10:38-42 tells the story of Jesus visiting the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary, in a village. Martha welcomes Jesus into her home and immediately sets to work preparing food and making sure that everything is in order for their guest. Meanwhile, Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, listening to him teach.

As Martha becomes more and more preoccupied with her work, she becomes frustrated that Mary is not helping her and asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus responds by telling Martha that she is worried and upset about many things, but that only one thing is needed, and that Mary has chosen the better portion by sitting at his feet and listening to him teach.

Prioritizing listening to Jesus: Mary's decision to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to his teaching highlights the importance of prioritizing listening to Jesus above other distractions and obligations in our lives. Balancing action and contemplation: Martha's actions and Mary's contemplation highlight the tension between the need for action and the need for contemplation in our lives. Jesus' response to Martha suggests that both are important, but that there is a time and place for each.

Gender roles and expectations: The story challenges traditional gender roles and expectations by portraying Mary, a woman, as a disciple who sits at Jesus' feet and learns from him. This subverts cultural norms that would have relegated women to domestic duties and suggests that women are capable of being active learners and disciples of Jesus.

Hospitality and service: Martha's actions in preparing food and ensuring that everything is in order for Jesus' visit demonstrate the importance of hospitality and service in welcoming others into our homes and lives. Overall, the story encourages us to prioritize listening to Jesus and finding balance between action and contemplation in our lives, while also challenging traditional gender roles and highlighting the importance of hospitality and service.

"Balancing Action and Contemplation"

I. Action-oriented mindset (Luke 10:38-40) 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Martha's actions in the story of Luke 10:38-42 involve preparing food and ensuring that everything is in order for Jesus' visit. She is described as being "distracted with much serving" (Luke 10:40), indicating that she is very preoccupied with the tasks at hand. While her actions are important in showing hospitality and serving Jesus, they also reveal her anxiety and stress about making sure everything is perfect for their guest. Her frustration with Mary for not helping her suggests that she is also concerned about fulfilling her expected role as a hostess and ensuring that everything is done properly.

Martha's actions highlight the importance of hospitality and service in welcoming others into our homes and lives. However, her story also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of becoming too preoccupied with tasks and duties, and failing to prioritize listening to Jesus and finding balance between action and contemplation.

Martha's mindset in the story of Luke 10:38-42 can be characterized as being focused on fulfilling her duties as a hostess and ensuring that everything is done properly for Jesus' visit. She is described as being "distracted with much serving" (Luke 10:40), indicating that she is very preoccupied with the tasks at hand. Her frustration with Mary for not helping her suggests that she is concerned about fulfilling her expected role as a hostess and ensuring that everything is perfect for their guest. Martha's mindset is one of obligation and responsibility, driven by a desire to do what is expected of her and to fulfill her duties as a hostess. While her intentions are good and her actions are important in showing hospitality and serving Jesus, her mindset ultimately causes her to become distracted and stressed, and to miss out on the opportunity to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to his teaching. Martha's mindset serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of becoming too preoccupied with tasks and duties, and failing to prioritize listening to Jesus and finding balance between action and contemplation. It also highlights the importance of examining our own mindsets and motivations in our actions, and being mindful of the impact they have on our relationship with God and others.

An action-oriented mindset has several strengths, including: Productivity: An action-oriented mindset often leads to high levels of productivity, as individuals are focused on getting things done and achieving their goals. Results-oriented: Those with an action-oriented mindset tend to be results-oriented, which can lead to successful outcomes and accomplishments. Confidence: People with an action-oriented mindset tend to be confident in their abilities to get things done, which can be empowering and help them take on new challenges. However, there are also limitations to an action-oriented mindset, including: Burnout: An action-oriented mindset can lead to burnout if individuals are constantly focused on achieving their goals without taking time for rest and self-care. Lack of reflection: An action-oriented mindset can also lead to a lack of reflection and self-evaluation, which can be detrimental to personal growth and development. Neglect of relationships: Those with an action-oriented mindset may prioritize productivity over relationships, which can lead to neglect of important personal connections and social support. It is important to strike a balance between action and contemplation, recognizing the strengths and limitations of each mindset and finding a way to integrate both into our lives in a healthy and sustainable way.

I. Action-oriented mindset

II. Balancing action and contemplation (Luke 10:42)42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

In Luke 10:41-42, Jesus responds to Martha's frustration by gently rebuking her and redirecting her focus towards the importance of contemplation and listening to his teaching. He says, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

By addressing Martha directly and repeating her name twice, Jesus emphasizes the importance of his message and shows that he understands her concerns. However, he also gently points out that her actions are causing her to be worried and upset, and suggests that she focus on what is truly important - spending time with him and listening to his teaching.

Jesus' response highlights the importance of finding balance between action and contemplation, and recognizing that both are necessary for a healthy and fulfilling life. He shows that while serving others and fulfilling our duties is important, it should not come at the expense of neglecting our own spiritual growth and well-being.

The story of Martha and Mary offers several implications for balancing action and contemplation in our lives: Prioritize what is truly important: Jesus' response to Martha reminds us that while there are many things we can focus on, there are few that are truly important. It's important to prioritize what truly matters in our lives and focus our time and energy on those things. Take time for rest and reflection: In a culture that values productivity and busyness, it can be easy to neglect the importance of rest and reflection. The story of Martha and Mary reminds us of the value of taking time to rest, reflect, and listen to our own needs. Be present in the moment: Martha's actions were causing her to be worried and upset about many things, which prevented her from fully being present in the moment. By taking time for contemplation and mindfulness, we can learn to be more present and fully engaged in our experiences. Find a balance between action and contemplation: The story of Martha and Mary shows that both action and contemplation are important for a fulfilling life. We need to find a balance between the two, recognizing the strengths and limitations of each mindset and finding a way to integrate both into our lives in a healthy and sustainable way. Nurture our spiritual growth: Finally, the story of Martha and Mary reminds us of the importance of nurturing our own spiritual growth and well-being. By taking time for contemplation, reflection, and prayer, we can deepen our connection with ourselves, others, and the divine. Balancing action and contemplation can bring many benefits to our lives, including: Increased self-awareness: Contemplation allows us to reflect on our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, helping us to become more aware of our strengths, weaknesses, and needs. Greater clarity of purpose: By taking time for contemplation, we can gain greater clarity about our values, priorities, and goals, helping us to make more intentional choices about how we spend our time and energy. Improved mental and emotional health: Contemplation practices such as meditation, prayer, and mindfulness have been shown to reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and increase feelings of well-being. Increased effectiveness: Taking time for contemplation can help us become more focused, productive, and effective in our actions. By reflecting on our experiences and learning from them, we can become more skillful in our work and relationships. Deepened spiritual connection: Contemplation practices can help us deepen our connection with the divine, whether that be through prayer, meditation, or other spiritual practices. This can bring a sense of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment to our lives. Overall, balancing action and contemplation can help us cultivate greater awareness, clarity, effectiveness, and spiritual connection in our lives, leading to greater well-being and fulfillment. Conclusion

I. Action-oriented mindset

II. Balancing action and contemplation

The story of Martha and Mary has several applications to our lives, including: Prioritizing rest and reflection: The story reminds us of the importance of taking time to rest and reflect, even in the midst of our busy lives. By prioritizing contemplation and self-care, we can cultivate greater awareness, clarity, and well-being, which can in turn make us more effective in our actions. Balancing work and relationships: The story also highlights the importance of balancing our work and relationships. While action and productivity are important, we also need to make time for connection and relationships with others, which can bring a sense of meaning and purpose to our lives. Cultivating mindfulness: The story invites us to cultivate greater mindfulness in our daily lives, paying attention to our thoughts, feelings, and actions. By becoming more present and aware, we can become more skillful in our interactions with others and more intentional in our choices. Developing a deeper spiritual practice: The story reminds us of the importance of cultivating a deeper spiritual practice, whether that be through prayer, meditation, or other spiritual practices. By connecting with the divine, we can find greater meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in our lives, which can in turn inspire us to act in ways that are aligned with our values and goals. Overall, the story of Martha and Mary invites us to cultivate greater balance in our lives, making time for both action and contemplation, work and relationships, and personal and spiritual growth. Finding balance between action and contemplation is an ongoing process that requires conscious effort and intention. Here are a few encouragements to help in this process: Start small: It can be overwhelming to try to make big changes all at once. Instead, start with small steps such as taking a few minutes each day to meditate or reflect, or scheduling regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. Set boundaries: To make time for contemplation, it's important to set boundaries around work and other obligations. This might mean saying "no" to certain commitments or delegating tasks to others in order to create more space in your schedule. Practice self-compassion: Balancing action and contemplation is not always easy, and it's important to be kind and compassionate with yourself throughout the process. Remember that self-care and self-compassion are essential components of a balanced life. Seek support: It can be helpful to seek support from friends, family, or a spiritual community as you navigate this journey. Sharing your experiences and challenges with others can provide encouragement, accountability, and new perspectives. Remember that finding balance between action and contemplation is not a one-time achievement, but rather an ongoing process of growth and discovery. Be patient, stay open to new possibilities, and trust that with time and practice, you will find a rhythm that works for you.