As a Christian counselor for over 30 years and retreat/conference speaker for the same, I have had hundreds of occasions to ask those doing ministry (and non-ministry people, too) the same question I would have hoped to have asked Martha if the right time and occasion would have arisen. Here is what I would have privately asked Martha had I observed her and heard her serving the meal at her house with Jesus: "Martha, at the very same time that you were agitated, disturbed, pulled in many directions, anxious and angry at your sister and Jesus: Who were you trusting, relying, depending on in your heart at the very time you were so frustrated?" After some reflection I am confident that Martha would respond by saying what I have heard EVERY person I have asked that same question. Here is what Martha would say," Well, I certainly was not trusting Jesus...I guess I was trusting myself." I would then commend Martha for being able to discern that truth, thank her for her honesty with me, and then go on to teach her a very important biblical truth: that being, only when we (all Christians, but including ministry people) put our faith/trust/reliance upon Christ and the gospel completely and alone are we then empowered by the Holy Spirit to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5; 22ff). To "live by the Spirit" (Galatians 5; 16), "keep in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5; 25), and to "walk in line with the truth of the gospel" (Galatians 2; 14) basically mean the same thing: to walk trusting, relying, depending, leaning, delighting, and rejoicing in Christ and the gospel. That "FAITH" in Christ (alone) "energizes" me (through the Holy Spirit) to "love" (i.e. to bear fruit, see Galatians 5; 6). Important point: should I choose to drift from that faith in Christ to a faith and reliance on myself I quickly become like anxious Martha...."Well, I certainly was not trusting Christ....I guess I was trusting myself."
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