I have a confession.
For about 2 months, I have been performing.
When I’m not performing, I’m expecting. When I’m through expecting, I begin comparing. It’s an uncomfortable pattern, filled with self-doubt, discouragement, and a few demoralizing thoughts.
Allow me to explain. You see, a while back I started a blog. Facebook and Instagram accounts were not far behind. I write, I create, and I anxiously hit publish. Then I wait, expectantly, for the likes to flow in and the followers to, well..follow. I look for the hearts, and the stars, and the thumbs up. When that doesn’t happen quite the way I think it should, I start to compare my performance to others. It’s not enough to impact my mood for the day, but it is important.
Apparently, I’m not alone in this.
In Luke, chapter 10, we find the story of Mary and Martha. These two sisters opened their home to Jesus and His crew as they traveled through Bethany. The chapter states that Martha was busy with preparations, while her sister, Mary, sat and listened to what Jesus had to say.
Martha was performing work. When she was done performing, she was expecting. When she was through expecting, she began comparing.
I feel Martha’s pain. After all, in the infamous words of Mike Rowe, “somebody’s gotta do it”. The bills don’t pay themselves. The tasks don’t just disappear. The book doesn’t market itself.
The Bible doesn’t mention her tone of voice. When she finally does speak, I can hear her. Martha sounds aggravated and unhappy.
…. “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40 NIV)
We hear Jesus respond in the next 2 verses. The Bible doesn’t mention His tone of voice, but I can hear Him as well. To me, His voice is gentle and calm.
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10 41-42 NIV)
It turns out that this one thing must be pretty important because it’s mentioned again in Psalm 27:4,
One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in his temple. (NIV)
And again, in Luke 18:22,
22 When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” (NIV)
Allow me to sum up.
Follow Jesus, wherever He may lead, and sit at His feet and hear His voice.
Not performing.
Not expecting.
Not comparing.
That acceptance you long for, peace you crave, and hope you reach for are all found when you do that one thing; follow, sit, and listen.
I can’t have you thinking that all the typing and creating I do is for accolades. Actually, I desire a quiet, obedient life, that reflects Christ. I like to think Martha did too. But it is nice to be liked and followed (Only online though. Please don’t follow people around in real life. That is called a felony, and it’s frowned upon in polite society).
Maybe Martha isn’t the only one who needed that reminder to sit at His feet for a small, peace filled moment each day and hear His word.
Charles Spurgeon recognized the importance of this practice when he said,
“Go there with Mary. And, afterwards, work with Martha.”
When He silences the siren of performance, I can hear His message above the doubts, reminding me of the unique talents He has given me.
When He rolls the rock of expectation away from me, I can see His steady presence in my life, sparking real gratitude and igniting joy.
When He lifts the load of comparison off of me, I can surrender to the greatness of His plan, not only guiding me, but equipping me as well.
The business you believed could only thrive because of your exhaustive performance…
The relationship you expected to get better, and now you blame yourself for all the problems…
The comparisons you made every time you were online, that left you feeling talentless and unworthy….
Do one thing.
Follow. Sit. Listen.
One last word before I go.
For those who have forgotten what it’s like to sit at the feet of Jesus, or for those not even in the same room as Him, He is beckoning you to do the one thing. The Bible doesn’t mention His tone of voice. But I can hear Him.
Can you?
Scattered Seed Books 