Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 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!”
“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.”
My husband and I moved into our house over one year ago and I finally made it through the last unopened box. The box contained many books; some cherished and read every year and others we forgot we even had. One of the forgotten books and workbooks was from our pre-marriage counseling sessions. I couldn’t wait to see what we had written and see all the ways we had fulfilled our calling during our six years of marriage. As I open the workbook with great anticipation, I started reading.
My joy and anticipation quickly eroded as I read our many plans for the work we felt God called us to as a couple and how far away we were from some of those plans. The one that convicted me the most was “we will invite Christians and non-christians into our home at least once a month to a meal and fellowship… we will have fun, deep conversations and go wherever the Holy Spirit would lead us. ”
It immediately reminded me of why we put it down as a Ministry we felt called call to. When I became a Christian, a couple I met, Jason and Tricia, were the loving example for what we washed to do. It didn’t matter what time of day or night it was, if you called ahead or dropped in without notice, if the kids were out of control or peaceful and Tricia didn’t ask you to wait at the front door so she could tidy up the house. The door was always open. If you stopped by and it was almost time for a meal…another plate was added to the table and a bit more sauce and noodles added to the pot of spaghetti already on the stove. They open their home, hearts and resources to many and the conversation always came back to Christ.
There was worship, laughter and prayer as we shared in our doubts, joy and struggles. You never felt rushed out the door and when you did leave… you left feeling closer to God and encouraged in your faith.
My friend Tricia is the Mary to my Martha. Although my heart desires to be a Mary… I realize that pride in the appearance of my home, cooking the perfect meal and setting a Pinterest worthy table is not what invites people, or the presence of God, into our homes or our relationships.
Through God’s help, I’m allowing him to change my perspective and heart to welcome people into my imperfect home and life and invite them to bring their imperfect and broken in so that we may seek the Lord together…encouraging one another with songs and scripture and just sit together at the feet of Jesus. A Spirit-filled home is more inviting than anything I can do in my own mind and strength.
So, come on over…don’t mind the mess and let’s fellowship together and enjoy the peace, presence, encouragement and truth of our Savior together.
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