We all go through seasons in our Christian walk. In some seasons, we are full of faith, close, and growing, and other seasons we may feel dry and maybe even distant. It’s comforting to know that God will meet us where we are. Whether we’re full of faith in God and our relationship with Him, or wondering if He sees us or knows our name.
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Have you ever had those times when you were really growing in your walk with the Lord? Confident in Him and who you are in Him?
Or what about those times when you just felt like your walk could use a little help?
How Jesus related to Mary and Martha
One of the things I appreciate most about our Lord and Savior is that He meets us where we are. I see this in how He related to His friends, the sisters, Mary and Martha.
I remember the richness of knowing I was squarely in the center of His will, and moving in tandem with Him. I was growing in my walk, and delighting in the deepening intimacy with my Savior. It reminded me a little of Mary, when Jesus told her sister Martha that only one thing mattered and Mary had discovered it, and it would not be taken from her:
“but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42)
Can I tell you though, that I’ve also been where Martha was? Wanting to be Mary, but not sure where things went wrong, or worse yet, how to make them right. Times when I’ve needed Him to meet me in my less than confident places, when I wanted to be stronger in my faith, but feeling weak or immature.
As Scripture recounts, Martha wasn’t actually doing anything wrong. It says that Martha was busy doing what had to be done:
“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” (Luke 10:40).
The problem wasn’t the work Martha was involved in. It was that she was distracted from what really mattered.
I’ve always loved Mary and Martha. They are probably two of my favorite biblical characters. I can relate to both. Mary had such a heart for worship. Yet Martha had such a heart for service. I believe the Lord honors both.
Jesus met Martha where she was
In this familiar story in Luke, I love how Jesus met Martha exactly where she was. He didn’t shame her. He just lovingly said that Mary’s devotion to worship was to be prized over service, and that He would not choose to punish her for that.
In essence He was saying, “Martha, what you are doing is good, but there is something even better, and if you want to be close to me, come to me rather than do for me.”
But we all go through seasons in our Christian walk. Some seasons when we are full of faith, close, and growing, and other seasons when we feel dry and maybe even distant.
I was struck by how different the scene was when in the book of John, the two sisters sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was ill and dying, and then he did die. When Jesus finally made his way to Bethany, it was Martha who ran to meet Him while Mary stayed at home. Martha greeted Jesus with strong faith.
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” (John 11:21-22)
More conversation was had, and Martha went to get Mary so she too could see Jesus, and together they would go to Lazarus’s tomb. Both Martha and Mary questioned Jesus, and declared that they knew that if Jesus had come sooner, they knew He could have saved Lazarus from dying. But it was Martha who declared her faith that even now, she knew that God would do whatever Jesus asked. It was there that she was in a different place, full of faith. And there, Jesus rewarded Martha’s faith:
Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” (John 11:40).
I’m so grateful that Jesus meets us where we are. Some days we will be full of faith, ready to put our heals on the heads of serpents and scorpions, declaring victory in Jesus’ name. Other days, we may see the giants ahead of us and forget who goes before us, walks beside us, and hems us in from the rear. Yet no matter where we are, He meets us there.
Yes, God will meet you where you are
Friend, I don’t know where you are today. Whether you are full of faith and confidence in God and your relationship with Him, or wondering if He even sees you or knows your name. But can I assure you that He will meet you where you are, just as He did for Mary and Martha? There was nothing special about them—they were His friends, and the Bible calls you His friend too. So what He did for them, He will do for you as well. Let Him meet you where you are today.
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
DrB
Every day can be a good day when you trust the promises of God.
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God is with us regardless of our moments of despair or feelings of victory – He is faithful! A great message to begin the week. If you love the story of Mary and Martha I would recommend the book: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. Visiting from #sharinghisbeauty and writing at http://www.noordinarydays.com
Aaah, yes, Angela! I’ve read Joanna’s book, a couple of times actually, and her most recent one as well. I’m so grateful that He not only accepts us but has a place for us whether we are being Mary or Martha. He loves us regardless. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
I am in awe of how you share the story of Mary and Martha. I think of sitting at the feet of Jesus and looking into his eyes and giving him our concerns and yet the worries of who would feed him the perfect meal because we are servers by nature. Inspiration at the best. Blessings Diana
Thank you Diana. Isn’t it affirming and embracing to know that He created us to serve, and yet also to be still and be refreshed in His presence? I appreciate knowing that He doesn’t expect me to serve all the time…He wants to fill me up too. What a blessing that is that He cares about my heart just as much or perhaps more than He cares about me serving others for His namesake. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
I’m so thankful that God meets us where we are – whether in a Martha mode or a Mary mode.
Great post, Michelle!
Found it on Modest Mom.
Hope you have a blessed day!
Melanie
Thanks Melanie! Isn’t God amazing to provide a way for us by meeting us wherever we are? He truly is all-sufficient! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!!
I just love Mary and Martha. I see a little of myself in both of them. And perhaps that’s the point. Thanks for defining the difference between their two attitudes. Distraction and devotion. Blessings, sweet friend! xo
And we live in times when the distractions bolder, sometimes appears “good”… Thanks for reminding us to never lag behind, and even if we do, God will turn around and wait for us.
Have a super blessed day!
Love
#WW
Thank you so much for this Michelle. Much needed today and a wonderful reminder that He knows where I’m at even if I’m not entirely sure! By the way, we met at Allume – I’m the Brit in Rob Eager’s sessions! I hope you’re well.
YES! I love that He is bigger than we can fathom, and yet meets us right where we are. What a good, good Daddy. #livefreeThursday
My week this week has been a testament to your statement that God meets us where we are. Oh goodness, what if He expected me to always be where He last led me?? He would never find me again because half the time I’m way back even further than where I started before! Hope that made sense! 🙂
Oh some times are really tough. I’m so thankful Jesus meets me where I am and so thankful He knows my name.
As always, a wonderful post! Really have me thinking about several topics – some plain, some to my heart from God Himself. I tend to be like Mary, quite honestly I do, but I let guilt and shame get the better of me because of the things that “have to be done.” I struggle for balance! OH but the presence of my Savior…!
Thanks again for linking up at Christian Fellowship! Always a pleasure – have a blessed weekend!
If I’m not careful, I can hide in the serving and forget the intimacy. I am thankful for a God who woos me back to Him and offers His loving embrace!
Yes, I too can relate to both sisters! And I’m so grateful that wherever I may be in my daily walk, all it takes is one word to call on His Name and He will meet me! Thank you for sharing!
The lessons Mary and Martha teach us are so rich. I too have felt a tendency to be one or the other at times. These days, I’m trying to live into exactly who he’s made me to be. Likely a combination of the two.
I am so very grateful our Lord meets us right where we are. Such grace and mercy displayed to us!