Look On Jesus

Luke 10:38-42

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
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.”

I think it's safe to say that many of us can relate to Martha in this story when it comes how busy our lives are. In fact, I've seen many posts using this story to explain that we need to slow down in our lives and focus on Jesus. But, I'd like to apply this story to another thing I've witnessed quite a bit of...

Recently, I have become very disheartened when I look at Christianity. Being part of these Christian blogging communities has made me almost disgusted with the religion most people follow - but, it has also strengthened my beliefs.

The Marthas of Christianity are so busy making sure they're "perfect." They condemn people whom they believe are going against God's Word. They speak out against these people. They hold up signs saying this belief or that belief is completely wrong. As homosexuality seems to be the hot-topic as of late, we'll go with this...

There are those Marthas who are against homosexuality and hold up signs saying the gays are going to hell. Or telling the gays "God hates the sin you're doing... but it's ok... He doesn't hate you..." while at the same time trying to change these people. They run around trying to make sure everything (everyone) around them is perfect... everyone is doing the right thing, practicing the right thing, behaving the right way, believing the right way. This is what God wants, they seem to believe.

And those of us Marys... the ones sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to His word, gazing on His love and grace, placing our focus on Jesus - the Marthas are asking "Lord, don't you care that we're doing all the work? Tell these Marys to help!" The Marthas are accusing us of not being Christian, of not following Jesus.

But our Lord tells Martha - as he tells all of us - "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed - or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Mary has chosen to listen to Jesus. Mary has chosen not to be distracted by all these worries. She has chosen Jesus.

It's time we all put the focus where it belongs - CHRIST.

Our focus should not be on who is sleeping with whom - or with what gender.
Our focus should not be on who is supporting abortion. It shouldn't be on what dances are being done or songs are being listened to or television shows are being watched. It shouldn't be on whether or not someone is praying correctly. It shouldn't be on which church is the first church or the "true" church.

It should be on Christ.