Being Loved, Just Because

Every sermon I’ve heard about Martha refers to her inability to stop working. She’s considered a busy woman too preoccupied with distractions to sit and be with Jesus. Personally, I see more truths buried in this story, maybe because I see myself.

I see a comparison that is staggering. Martha displays striving to please, while Mary is resting in His presence. Martha was proving her love; Mary was responding to His love. Martha is focused on her work; Mary is focused on God’s. Martha is a picture of religion; Mary is a picture of relationship. Religion is about requirements while relationship is about response.

In the midst of growing up in the church I was taught that what I did made a difference. If I had my quiet times, prayed my prayer lists, volunteered for ministries, gave my tithe, I would be giving my life back to God. It’s what was required if I wanted to prove I loved Him.

I thrived on my efforts for God. Somehow it made me have value to Him and His kingdom. I missed the point of the relationship, the cross, the resurrection and my life. God didn’t bring me here to work for Him or fulfill requirements. He brought me here to love me, just because.

I diminish the work of the cross when I put myself in a position of “have to’s”. The cross restored the broken relationship with God and the resurrection brought me new life. I have nothing left to prove. I don’t owe anything. I have nothing to pay back. If I try to pay back the gift of relationship and love, I diminish the purpose of the cross and the resurrection. The cross finished the work, removing the “have to’s, bridging the gap so that I might experience deep, intimate love without requirements.

I believe Martha wanted to please Jesus. I don’t think that Martha preferred being busy with preparations. I think she thought it’s what was needed from her. I believe that she was loving Him in the only way she knew. I think she felt more comfortable doing for Him then being with Him. I don’t think she understood that He was already pleased with her. I think Jesus wanted her to stop trying to prove her devotion, and receive as free, all the love He had to give her.

We become Martha’s because we are more comfortable with doing something for Him than just being loved by Him. Somehow we feel it is our duty. We believe we are supposed to repay Him with our lives.

Our doing makes us feel pleasing, somehow. Underneath the busy woman is a woman who isn’t comfortable being loved as she is. She’s not even comfortable being alone with herself. She’s the woman who volunteers for everything at the church, is the most disciplined woman in her Bible study and quiet times and is busy dabbling in all sorts of places. When she misses her quiet time she feels guilty. She strives for perfection in her relationship with God, because she sees her imperfection and is uncomfortable with who she is before Him. She doesn’t feel like she’s enough. Therefore, she’s still trying to earn.

I know, I was that woman. Underneath the work was a woman longing to be enough to be worthy of love, and somehow be found pleasing. All along I was pleasing to Him. All along He saw me just as I was and loved me still. He loved me, because love is His nature. It’s not about what I do, it’s about who He is.

I don’t see Jesus’ words to Martha as a rebuke. That doesn’t fit His heart. I see His words as affirmation and invitation. I hear, “Martha, I see all that you are doing to please me, but all I want is you.” “I want you to know how deeply and intimately I love you, just because.”

He says to you, to me and to Martha, “stop your efforts, be still, come let me love you, just as you are” “I am delighted with you.” “Nothing you do will make me love you more.” “You can cease from your work and rest in mine.” “You already please me, just because.”

Questions for reflection:

So, what about you? Are you comfortable in your own skin before Jesus? Does working for Him somehow make you feel of greater value? Do you hide away in busyness afraid to face that person within? What is your motive in what you do? Do you see how intimately and deeply He loves you, just because?

Prayer:

Jesus, may we fully rest in the reality of your great love. You are truly amazing. You revealed to us the heart of our God. May we enter in just as we are to be loved totally, completely and unreservedly, just because.

You can find Julie at her blog: Jewelz Sightings