Distracted

Apparently God isn't done teaching me things yet while I slowly recover.  I suppose that should not come as a shock to me or anyone but I thought I had learned enough from this whole ordeal; God has other plans.

I picked up a book a few days ago that I had been reading over the last few months; it is a fabulous book called Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur.  MacArthur delves into the lives and the impact 12 different women of the Bible had in their time and in ours.  The chapter I read the other day was about Martha and Mary and a specific visit Jesus made to their home found in Luke 10.  Four simple words have been bouncing around in my head ever since.

"distracted with much serving"

I have read this story so many times.  Mostly I have found this story used as a call to be still, to be a mindful worshiper.  MacArthur does touch on that truth, however, he seeks to find the jewel in Martha's service by comparing her to another of Jesus' hosts found in Luke 7.   "Martha, to her great credit, was at the opposite end of the hospitality spectrum from Simon the Pharisee.  She fussed over her hostessing duties.  She wanted everything to be just right.  She was a conscientious and considerate hostess, and these were admirable traits.  Much in her behavior was commendable."  Martha's practicality and desire to give her Lord her best are things I can relate to easily.

Being a word junkie I started to dig.  The word perispao that in NIV translates as "distracted" is translated in KJV as "was cumbered."  Mr. Webster defines the verb "distracted" as such, "to take (attention) away from someone or something", "to draw or direct (as one's attention) to a different object or in different directions at the same time", and "to stir up or confuse with conflicting emotions or motives."   The verb "cumbered" is defined as such, "to hinder by being in the way, to clutter up."

One more word study and I will get to the meat of the lesson God is teaching me.  The word translated as "serving" is dikonia.  This word is the same word that is translated in many places in the Bible as "to minister."  Mr Webster defines "serving" as such, "to be of use", "to be worthy of reliance or trust", and "to give the service and respect due to a superior." Webster also defines "serving" as "to set out portions of food or drink."  Although that is the physical situation Martha was in during this glimpse into her home, I have a feeling her spiritual and emotional desires run more along the lines of the first three definitions.

   

I'd like to think the best of Martha, perhaps because she is much like myself.  Martha was drawn in many directions that day and the house guests, Jesus in particular, resulted in conflicting emotions.  She desired to lavish Jesus with the service He deserved.  She was upset that others, her sister in particular, were not on the same page.  I defend her actions because I am wired similarly. Hopefully I would not judge my sister based on how she lavished her dikonia on our house guests.  I would be in the kitchen even if no one else was.  

But now that I cannot be of physical service I am forced to sit at His feet.  Between you and me, I think He has been trying to get me to this place for quite some time.  It is not just serving God that has become more practical busy-ness than relational.  It is the same with family and friends.  "Serving in the kitchen" and neglecting to purposefully "share a meal."  Doing for them instead of being with them.  The Bible calls us to both types of service.

MacArthur ends the chapter with this,

"Martha was a noble and godly woman with a servant's heart and a rare capacity for work.  Mary was nobler still, with an unusual predisposition for worship and wisdom.  Both were remarkable in their own ways.  If we weigh their gifts and their instincts together, they give us a wonderful example to follow.  May we diligently cultivate the best instincts of both of these extraordinary women."