Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Much Ado about Nothing (not about the play) (07/28/11)
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TITLE: Which is better | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dawn Lucy
07/31/11 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
I know for my dad he did not understand all of the commotion, especially early on in their marriage. My dad has always been a carefree, happy-go-lucky gentleman. As a result, in time, he has just taken things in his stride and succumbed to my mom’s will and agenda on days we are preparing for special guests.
After and even during our special event with family and friends, I have to admit; I do appreciate how special the home looks and especially enjoy the special meal preparations. But more than that, I mostly enjoy the time of fellowship that takes place. I just wish everything could be a lot less stressful beforehand.
As I have become a wife and mother, I have found that I tend to have the same exact pattern as my mother. I wish I could be less intense at times with my sweet family.
So one thing I like to do is turn to scripture, and see what the word of God says about the subject I may be struggling with in my life.
In this case, when I think about the subject of hospitality and fellowship, I think about when Jesus went to the home of Martha and Mary.
Jesus and his disciples were traveling though a village or the town of Bethany, about two miles from Jerusalem. Martha invited and opened up her home to Jesus and his disciples.
In the midst of all the preparations, Martha began to get beside herself because her sister Mary was not helping her prepare the meal but sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to what he said.
She was so frustrated by her sisters actions, that she approached Jesus and asked him if he didn’t care that Mary was not helping her and she basically demanded that he tell her to help her.
In her mind, Martha probably felt Mary was being lazy and didn’t understand why she would not be helping her with these special guests in her home. After all, in the day of Jesus, it was definitely the women who were charged with the tasks of homemaking and meal preparations.
But let’s look at Jesus’ response and what his thoughts were on the subject.
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 41-42 NIV
What this says to me, is that Mary chose to fellowship and listen to the teaching of Jesus. She chose Jesus. I believe that Jesus wanted nothing more than to have Martha focused on getting to know him.
Jesus desired a relationship with Martha first and foremost and cared less about the meal. He wanted her to open her heart up to him as well and get to know the one true Savior and make him Lord over her life.
As a woman, I am prone to worry about many things. My daily activities often take me away from spending time with Jesus. This challenges me to keep my focus on Jesus even in the midst of my daily life. When I am getting ready for work and in a hurry, when I am traveling in heavy traffic, when my sweet children are pulling me in every direction, I need to stop and fellowship with my Abba, Father, my Lord, and my friend.
Going back to the beginning when I was talking about inviting people into our homes; I do not want to lose focus on why I have invited people to dine with me and my family. It is to open our hearts to them and get to know them. Do I want things to be clean and nice for them? Yes, but if it is not perfect then it is not the end of the world. The more important thing to focus on is building a relationship with the people who we have invited into our home to fellowship with us.
It is all about keeping things in perspective!
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