Martha is exemplifying for the readers of this story an error that is extremely common among ministers and those busy in ministry: Martha's fault is that she is ministry driven and not gospel driven. Martha is making the "choice" to be governed and controlled in her heart by the "many" ministry activities that hospitality requires, instead of being governed and controlled in her heart by the good news of the gospel and by the One who is in her presence bringing it. The result of such a "ministry driven-ness" is always emotional disintegration (Galatians 6: 8/Martha is "going to pieces") and complaining ("Lord, don't you care..?").
Pastor, take a moment and think of yesterday. Were you coming to pieces, torn in many different directions by the many things that your profession required of you yesterday? Anxious about the sermon preparation? Angry about the elders for their lack of vision, pettiness? Was the "peace of Christ ruling your heart" (Colossians 3;15) or was your heart ruled by your ministerial "to-do" list? Would the Lord commend you as He did Mary because of the location of your heart (in the gospel, sitting at His feet in peace) yesterday, or would He rebuke you like He did Martha because your heart was filled by the idols of ministerial productivity and progress?
No comments:
Post a Comment