Balancing In and Out
- heartsinger1
- Jul 22, 2020
- 2 min read
"Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are
doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others." Paul of Tarsus
Have you ever heard the phrase 'They are so heavenly minded they're no earthly good'?
Basically it means that a person is viewed as so focused on their individual relationship to God that they shut everyone, and everything, who doesn't contribute to it, out.
It's basically what Martha called her sister Mary.
Martha busy getting food ready for the guests to eat, Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus.
Martha finding her significance in doing, Mary finding healing in Jesus presence.
Martha using the gifts God designed her with to serve Jesus, Mary just being.
Martha was not wrong in her busyness. Mary was not wrong in her stillness.
Martha was not wrong to be in the kitchen. Mary was not wrong to be with Jesus.
The part Martha got wrong was comparing, concluding and complaining.
So often this story is set up as a right and wrong way to be.
Martha busy = bad. Mary worshipping = good.
But that can't be what Jesus meant when He said,
"One thing only is important and Mary has chosen it."
Mary found her One Thing, worship. Martha was moving in her One Thing, service. But Martha contaminated the purity of her service with a complaining, comparing attitude.
Outer service is a necessary expression of devotion to God that all who claim to follow Jesus should practice.
Inner solitary worship is an expression of devotion to God that all who claim to follow Jesus should practice.
One is not better than the other. But we need to discern when each is the One Thing for each day, or for each moment in a day.
If I, cultivating a deep abiding peace with God, living a simplified life, look at someone busily running a food bank and think they are trying to please God by their busyness, I am judging that which I have no right to judge.
If I, pouring out my life for the least, see someone living a life of leisure, quiet, and solitude, and think they are useless to the kingdom and are wasting their life, I am judging that which I have no right to judge.
We cannot know what is in the heart of anyone else. We cannot discern their motivation. Only God can see the difference between pure worship and posturing.
Find your One Thing with God for today. Is it a time to sit at His feet and learn? Or, is it a day to get your hands dirty? Don't compare what you're doing with anyone else. Don't judge anyone's expression of service, or devotion, to God.
"Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are
doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others." Paul of Tarsus
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