So what do a woman named Martha and Trees have to do with Mentoring let alone have something in common?
Before we get to Martha's story, we need to look at a very large tree. In particular the California redwood.
Anyone who has seen a live redwood is impressed. Very tall and stately. Strong. Their wood is fairly weather and pest resistant (compared to most other woods) making it a good choice for outdoor furniture. All that and more; but they're not "immortal." They can and do eventually succumb to nature: fire, flood, earthquake. And even to man; whether purposely or accidentally.
If a redwood is to survive these elements of nature and man, they must be protected. It's true that certain trials and tribulations "strengthen" the tree, like us. But if not nourished and protected, it will die - like us.
One of these stately sequoias in California, after 400 years, did succumb. The funny thing is, it perished because of something very innocuous: people who wanted to simply see it! Visitors to this giant of nature simply walked around and around it until finally, the roots gave way. When the roots gave way it collapsed and died. That's quite a sad thing. And similar things can happen to all of us.
We get wrapped up in the daily hustle and bustle of life. A demanding boss. Children that need attention. A spouse who, although well-meaning and loving, just doesn't understand our needs. All of these demands "walk around" us day after day. One day we collapse. We may not die, but we are just worn out. We didn't protect ourselves. But how could we? We have all of these things we are responsible for. People and causes depend on us!
Sounds kind of like our friend Martha. You know Martha of the sister team Mary and Martha, don't you? Old "busy in the kitchen" Martha. Martha is the one who is always criticized and made fun of. But she was the one who "had" to make sure that Jesus was well-taken care of. After all it was Martha who invited Jesus into her home in the first place, not Mary. Martha was the mistress of the house and therefore the meal and any preparations, including needs of the other guests that might come by, were her responsibility - Luke 10:38 - 42. And then when their brother Lazarus died, who was it who asked Jesus what took Him so long to get there? Martha again - John 11:21 - 22.
Mary had it right. She worshiped Jesus. She sat at His feet and just soaked Him in. But in the end, so did Martha have it right.
For Martha, Jesus Himself had to take her aside and remind her of what was important. Yes, it was good and right for Mary to be with Jesus. Martha was being a good hostess. Jesus did not criticize her for her hospitality. But in the demanding-ness of life, being at Jesus feet, listening to His life-saving words are ultimately much more important. Sometimes we need to understand that it is very necessary to put life aside and spend time with God. Life may be (is) demanding, but in the end, we will be spending much more time in God's presence. Eternity is a long time. Getting to know God now is of utmost importance.
The yelling and screaming of the temporary - the tyranny of the urgent - has to be "quieted" or put out, in favor of the importance of the eternal. Although Scripture doesn't give us the details, we can be pretty sure that after Jesus took Martha aside, she came to an understanding of what is truly important; and that she would have to protect what was important. All of us have to protect what is eternally important - our relationship with God.
Let's go back and look at John's Gospel, chapter 12. Before Jesus makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he stops in Bethany at the home of, who else, Martha and Mary. In this short passage, verses 1 through 9, Mary again will get the accolades for anointing Jesus with pure nard, a very expensive perfume. But look at what also is happening. Look at who else is there. Lazarus, who Jesus had raised from the dead just a short time earlier and Martha. And what is Martha doing? What else would Martha be doing? She is doing what God designed her to be and do: a good hostess who serves her guests and helps provide the right local atmosphere for her Lord. This time however, she isn't complaining about Mary or anyone or anything else. She has been with Jesus first and is now able to serve others well. Martha has learned how to protect what is important - her relationship with God - while living a normal life, exercising her gifts. Martha had the sense to allow Jesus to be her Mentor.
Personally, the past couple of years have been taxing. Whether it is business or personal or family or ... It's just been hard. At one point, probably several now that I think of it, I had just had enough. I wanted to quit and run away. But where would I go? To whom would I escape to. I could escape to someplace else, but that would be a diversion. My friends and mentors in our Saturday morning small group were there, but it wasn't enough. Did they hold me up in prayer? Yes. Did they love me for who I am? Yes. But I needed someone who really understood the depth of my need. Getting back to teaching adult Sunday school was good, but... Even personal prayer time wasn't enough. I had let my "roots" be trampled on. I had let the protection of my heart and mind drop.
Someone reading this post is a "Martha." You are a good and courteous host. You care about your home and your family and everyone that passes through your door. And you've been criticized time after time of being a "Martha." Those of us who aren't "Martha's" really do appreciate what you do. We "Mary's" couldn't have half as much fun or enjoyment if you weren't a "Martha!" But seriously, remember that all of your guests will enjoy the party even if the doilies are askew. We just want you to enjoy the party along with us. We'll help you clean up or set up. Just ask.
Thankfully, God keeps whispering in our ears. It's that still small voice that keeps that old Larnelle Harris song "I Miss My Time With You" playing in the subconscious. God does miss us. He wants us to spend as much time as possible with Him. When we open His Word, He always has something to say. He wants us to just come as we are. Whether we're tired or refreshed or scared or confident or confused, God wants us to just be with Him.
Here's my challenge to everyone reading this commentary: Get off Facebook and get face to face with your Father. That's right, if you can tell me that you don't "have time" to be in God's Word every day but you can spend several hours every day chatting or being with your on-line friends, then you have time to spend with the God who made you.
Will your life be freed from every trouble? No. Will your human relationships suddenly improve? Probably not. But what I can guarantee you is that the relationship that matters most will improve. He will lift you up. He will provide you with the courage you need to make those hard choices. He will be the Rock that provides shelter from the storms of life. He will love you like no other person can or will. He, your Heavenly Father, will provide the peace and the mentoring necessary to make it in this life while preparing you for an eternity with Him.
Let's walk this Divine Mentoring thing together. If you're willing to spend just 15 minutes with your Bible and heart open on a daily basis, I promise that you will set up a Sacred Enclosure that will sustain you through it all. As you grow in your Christian walk, you will want to increase the time. Your thirst and appetite will grow. You'll want to go back for seconds! Or more...
Return to The Divine Mentor study.
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The Divine Mentor: Growing Your Faith As You Sit at the Feet of the Savior By Wayne Cordeiro / Bethany House Wasted years and untold tears---God wrote the book on avoiding "if onlys"! Discover how a disciplined, systematic digesting of Scripture gives you the benefit of countless experiences and invaluable life lessons. From routine reading to fresh encounters, you'll learn to listen to the Holy Spirit's eternal counsel as you spend time in his living Word. 240 pages, softcover from Bethany. |
