Relax
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Women indeed have many strengths that could be described as "super."
From their capacity for empathy and multitasking to their resilience and ability to handle stress, women across various cultures and contexts show incredible abilities every day.
Whether it's managing careers, families, or complex social dynamics, the strengths women exhibit can be truly remarkable.
Looking at my wife… I am truly amazed!
Sometimes I don’t know how she does it!
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
In the cultural context of Martha's time, hospitality was considered a critical duty and a significant aspect of social and religious life.
Martha, hosting Jesus in her home, would have felt a strong cultural and personal obligation to serve Him diligently.
But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
Women, in particular, were often responsible for managing the household and ensuring that all guests were properly cared for.
This included preparing food, cleaning, and generally making sure that guests felt welcomed and comfortable.
This responsibility was not just a matter of personal pride but a deeply ingrained social expectation.
Martha's actions were aligned with the traditional roles expected of women in her society.
“But Martha was distracted with much serving.”
Distracted: to be distracted ⇔ be pulled away v. — to be or become distracted; conceived of as pulling someone away.
It is interesting to note what caused her to be pulled away…
“Serving”
Serving: hospitable service n. — the act of providing something (lodging or seat or food) to meet a need.
What do you do when meeting the needs of others becomes a personal distraction for you?
Last week we dealt with…. Trying to focus on one person in need and still balance out everything else.
Let’s look at the “balance” as a “Juggle”
I am trying to juggle life by meeting a need for someone else.
This is Mother’s Day… As a mother have you ever felt this way?
“Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
Martha's frustration may reflect not just a personal feeling of being overwhelmed but also the weight of fulfilling societal norms and expectations.
What do you do when “serving” makes you resentful and feeling alone?
Resentful: feeling or expressing bitterness or indignation at having been treated unfairly.
“Jesus tell her then to help me”
There is a lesson in this…
She didn’t tell other family members…
She didn’t post it on social media…
If your going to vent… Tell Jesus :)
I actually like Martha….
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
Martha will speak her mind!!!
Jesus will meet you at your place of faith and He will match your energy!
Transparency and Honesty
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
Jesus… Said Martha, Martha, You don’t realize…
Your “serving” - Trying to meet the needs of everyone else…
Has caused you to be anxious and troubled about many things.
Anxious: to worry (be concerned) v. — to be concerned with.
Troubled: to be disquieted v. — to be or become disturbed in mind, uneasy, worried, or alarmed.
You have to be careful! Serving can turn into Controlling
Jesus said… You are caught up in too many things!
but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Martha I need you to relax
You’re so busy doing so much…
You’re not focused on the #1 thing that is necessary.
Mary has chosen the good portion…
And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
“Mary listened to His teaching”
Relax!
I’m too busy trying to meet the needs of others and my #1 need is not being met.
The good portion is the teaching of the master…
It’s in His teaching or in the word of God
That I truly learn how to handle the balance
It’s in His teaching that my eyes will be open…
I don’t have to try to juggle anymore…
It’s in his word that I am to set my priorities in the correct order
RELAX
Sit at His feet…
Sit Down…
Take time for yourself to receive the “Good Portion”
Portion n. — a part set aside for a specific purpose; especially a share which a person has a vested interest in.
His word will meet a specific purpose in my life!
The question is, will you relax and invest the time?