” Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.”

 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”      (Luke 10:38-42).

We have all heard about Martha and Mary! Martha mouth and merry Mary!

 As I was reading these verses one day, a certain phase caught my attention!  “A certain village; a certain woman name Martha.  “Certain,” Jesus was on a mission!  It had been established that He must go to this village to meet this woman. There was a purpose for this meeting, to help a woman find her place and her gift in the body of Christ.

 Martha’s admirable qualities are easily overlooked when we simply see her as a busybody who refused to sit at Jesus’ feet.  We see she opened her doors wide to Jesus and his friends and as always Martha’s desire was to make them comfortable and give her very best to meet their needs.

Martha had a serving gift (Romans 12). Some call these motivation gifts!  These gift when used correctly are to give you joy and fulfillment in your daily life.  Along with your gift you must learn to discern the time and how to use your gift for the edification of the body of Christ!

There are several things we can glean from Martha’s testimony. Jesus knows where you are and how to get you where you belong!  God saw the potential in Martha and understood the frustration she was going through, if she didn’t fulfill the purpose of her gifting, to serve others.

This visit was not the first time Mary and Martha encountered Jesus. Verse 39 tells us, “ And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.”  This indicates at one time both Mary and Martha had set at the feet of Jesus.

This time they were in Martha’s house and she felt a responsibility to make them comfortable. In her hustle and bustle to get everything perfect for the visit, she catches a glimpse of Mary setting at the feet of Jesus, enjoying her time with Him.  A fiery dart of the enemy entered her mind and she blew up!  Wow, I can relate to that.

She was immediately caught up in self-pity!  She had allowed a thorn of life to enter and take over her thoughts which affected her attitude and forgot her purpose in preparing the meal.

 

The thorns of life had caught her off guard and instead of a servant attitude she was caught up in good works with a wrong motivation!  Her “good works” became a thorn, a snare, that choked out the Word of God.(Mark 4:18-19)  She was no longer surrendered to the Lord using her gifts for the good of the body, but full of jealousy and frustration, causing her to lose sight of the purpose for her life.

Jesus didn’t bat an eye as He allowed Martha to rant on about her situation. He didn’t get offended in the middle of her emotional upheaval.  He loves His children and longs to hear everything that concerns them!  He is eager to listen.

After Jesus listens, He offers her the path to peace. “But one thing is needed…..” This was an invitation for Martha to come and set, enjoy your friends and receive the anointing that will give you the peace that passes all understanding.

Martha had a gift that brought joy to her life, but we must learn to discern the seasons of life.  Sometimes a peanut butter sandwich will do, you don’t need a 7-course dinner.  Martha did not discern the time and purpose of this visit.

One thing Martha knew, where to go for help!  She went directly to the highest authority in the room! We need to learn the ways of the Holy Spirit in our everyday walk of life.

John 16:7 says, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”

Do you understand you have an advantage over the world?  You have a helper in this world. Just like Martha,

all you have to do is ask!  Jesus understands bad hair days and frustration in this world and that is why He sent you a helper.  Are you taking an advantage over the frustrations of daily life.

All that is required is surrender!  This includes your time and talent!  Time is your greatest asset.

A little time in God’s Word over time builds character and strength that will sustain the gift that is with you!

Just as Jesus was interested in Martha and her daily life, He is interested in you!  All you have to do is surrender!  Ask for help and walk in His presence.  You are that “certain” woman Jesus is looking for!