Serving God

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1 The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them and bowed down to the ground. 3 He said, "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on--since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." (Genesis 18:1-5)

When Abram was approximately 75 years old and childless, God promised to make him a great nation. Nearly 24 years - and an "illegitimate" son, and a rename to Abraham - later, he and his wife, Sarah, still had no children. Abraham might have been forgiven for allowing bitterness to take hold and replace his servant's heart with one hardened and calloused. But when three surprise visitors showed up outside his tent, Abraham rushed to offer them rest, food and drink. He had no reason to expect anything from them. He simply saw it as his responsibility to meet the needs of others as far as he was capable.

When Jesus shared time in the home of sisters Mary and Martha, and their brother, Lazarus, both women would traditionally have been expected to serve Jesus (and all of the men present). But Mary preferred to listen to Jesus teach. Jesus didn't voice any concern for the situation or any preference about their actions until Martha complained that Mary wasn't helping her. Jesus' words that Mary had chosen the "better part" were preceded by him noting that Martha was worried and distracted unnecessarily. Perhaps it wasn't that Jesus would have preferred for Martha to join Mary at his feet, but that he preferred that she not fret over frivolous things when she was in the presence of the One who knew her every need.

It can be challenging when we feel that we are expending our energy, time, and resources to serve God while others are moved differently - or not at all. How much might Martha's joy and peace have increased if she had not put the expectations she had for herself onto her sister as well? While we are not all called to the same work, we are all called to do whatever we do with a servant's heart. We are our brother's (and sister's) keeper, and we serve God best by serving others. Like Abraham, we can serve with the joy of just being able to meet the needs of others.

38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus's feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, 42 but few things are needed--indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."

(Luke 10:38-42)