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With Jesus as Guest in the house of Martha and Mary; Martha was busy as a good host putting things in place to make the visit of Jesus to their home memorable. While she was busy fixing things up, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus hearing His Word. While Martha saw the job she took upon herself to prepare a good entertainment for Jesus as a big time job, Mary did not consider listening to Jesus as a lesser job. By the time Martha approached their Guest to put forward her report of Mary’s nonchalant behavior in refusing to help her out with the serving; she was stunned when Jesus told her of the relevance of Mary’s inclination to hear His Word, rather than joining her (Martha) with the serving.
Serving God at the expense of hearing God’s Word will not augur well for your service unto God. In the same vein, hearing God’s Word without working with it, in service unto God will not profit you.
Seeking to be a “Mary” at the expense of being a “Martha” and vice versa will not work out the good purpose of God in you. God seeks for a combination of “Martha” and “Mary” in one. It is not enough to seek to do service unto God or to be used by God; you need to be enlightened by His Word for a purposeful work for Him.
Many get so busy for God that they forget the ultimate purpose of fellowship with God. We need to learn from the example Jesus set for us. He called twelve disciples unto Himself, that they might be with Him and that He might send them forth in service. Maintaining fellowship with God could be more difficult than seeking to work for God.
No matter the form of responsibility you feel you have towards God’s people; remember, they are His people and not your people. Before you minister any such responsibility, you have a primary responsibility towards God. The people didn’t call you, God did. “Mary” and “Martha” in one is an attitude for great altitude in life.