Doesn’t our world tell us to be a Martha, not a Mary? Aren’t we programmed to be productive? That’s just the way it is, isn’t it? Let’s suppose the world started saying that those who attend to things of God are getting it right, they are getting further in life, and they have done the better thing, don’t you think we’d do it differently?
It appears a chasm divides the Church into two groups: Christians whose spiritual lives are bound to “doing” are one group, and those who embrace “being” are the other group. Most of us start our spiritual lives oriented towards doing. No surprise here. Quite naturally we want to share our faith and live out our spirituality.
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, Martha,” the Lord answered, “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.”
Luke 10: 40-42
When it’s what we DO that matters.
That’s natural, especially in western culture. People are measured by what they do, what they produce, how much they get done, how they do it, and their success in doing these things. The church is no exception. We notice the doers. “Doing” is activity-based doings and includes spiritual doings. (By the way, there isn’t anything wrong with doing.)
Just ask Martha. She was a busy, frustrated hostess. She couldn’t understand why her sister wasn’t helping. She was annoyed and irritated by her sister’s lack of consideration. After all, they were entertaining an important guest and things had to be perfect. She expected Jesus to be on her side, her sister was neglecting her duties.
When it’s who and what we ARE that matters.
“Being” is being centered in the holy, centered in the Trinity, centered in God. “Doing” functions best when it originates out of “being,” instead of functioning as an add-on to our faith. We as Christians are best served when our lives take time to refresh our souls by feeding on the Word and absorbing what we receive.
Just ask Mary. She sat at Jesus’ feet and learned from Him. Time spent with Jesus was precious, like gold. She soaked up what He said. She desired the better thing, to cherish time being close to Jesus. She desired to be still, to be aware of spiritual truths, to be listening to Jesus’ words. She valued being filled.
How sweet it is.
Knowing the importance of being present with God in our spiritual life alters the whole flow of why we do what we do. When God comes first, everything changes, hence, when “being” comes first, everything will change. Instead of scurrying around from one thing to the next like a frenzied crazy person, when our lives are centered, we have peace and calm and can maintain it. Our focus has moved from us doing good things for God, to being in God’s enabling presence. His life is alive in us. He is our motivation for doing our spiritual activities.
Our spiritual works stem from out of centered “being.” Spiritual works are not temporary activities but acts of godly love. Our spiritual deeds, when appropriately focused, flow from the heart of “being,” rather than duty-driven “doing,” which may, at times, be initiated through self-effort.
All this to say, follow God first and the good works will flow out of you in a godly fashion, with God getting the glory and praise. All of us must protect our sense of “being” by living centered in God. With being first, and its being cultivated over time, life takes on a healthier view.
What motivates you? Duty or love?
Devotion or drudgery? Now, Norma, isn’t that a little extreme? Well, yes, I guess so, but it does make a difference. The one brings joy, the other…not so much. I don’t like cleaning toilets, but I do like the result. If I can carry a right spirit while I clean them, I have made the task easier on myself. I am being “love’ in my task. Spiritual living really is all about love. I hope you get my drift. Don’t worry about it if you don’t. This practice is something you grow into once you get it.
This concept came to me while pondering the Christian life and the changes that took place in me when I surrendered myself to living God’s way. “Being” first and ‘”doing” next, takes the onus off us. This is a truth I discovered on my own, only to discover that many others have realized and internalized this same concept in their lives.
I couldn’t resist!
