Heather and I are on vacation this week at the beach. It is a much needed one and we are more than excited to be away from the regular schedule of home and the busyness of life that exists in Greenville. (Though we are thankful for the busyness that allows us the vacation!)

As I sat on our balcony tonight and listened to the sounds of the ocean, I reflected upon that busy schedule and thought of the story of Mary and Martha found in Luke 10 (Luke 10:38-42). In this story, Luke tells us of a visit of Jesus to the home of the two sisters. As he is reclining with his followers and talking with/teaching them the two sisters are reacting in completely different ways (as siblings usually do). Martha is found busy in the kitchen being the ever so hospitable host to her visitors. Mary, on the other hand, is sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to his words and  soaking in the message he has for those gathered there.

As the story reaches it climax, Martha comes to Jesus and asks him to tell Mary to help her- after all why should she be doing all the work? Is it not Mary’s house and responsibility too? Jesus responds to her with, what I find to be, a gentle and wise statement. He tells her she is worried with too many things and is missing what is really important- what her sister has grasped from the beginning.

As I sit on the balcony listening to the waves I reflect on this story. I think it is good for us to be like Martha sometimes. Our lives are filled with calendars, events, ball games, fellowships… (you fill in the blank)… and sometimes we have to have the focus and drive of Martha to get it all done. Jesus does not tell her that she is wrong for trying to get everything in order, he just reminds her that there is something more important in life and she is missing it.

While I think we have to all find a little Martha in ourselves, if we are not finding Mary, we are not getting it. We find Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet, not a care in the world. Though her sister is rushing to get everything done, she is simply resting in the moment. In Mary’s reaction to Jesus’ presence we don’t find full inboxes, calendars or meetings. In her reaction we find quiet, peace and rest.

I think this rest can be found at home as we seek each week to take Sabbath, to rest. However, in order to truly grasp what God wants for us, we also have to find extended Sabbath. We need to get away from it all, to spend time not worrying about a clock (it’s almost 12:30am and it doesn’t really matter in for tomorrow- it’s vacation!) I truly believe, that God calls us to be busy, to do what we have been called to do and do it well. Martha was doing what she was good at and I’m sure it was a blessing to the others. But Martha also found herself overwhelmed and Jesus is quick to remind her that God also calls us to rest, to take a break from the busyness of it all. To not “worry and be upset about many things”, to rest in God’s desires for us.

I can’t close this post without saying that some of that Sabbath and rest needs to be spent reflecting on scripture (I find that can be what truly helps me find rest). Jesus obviously says that Martha has missed the boat by not hearing the message he has for her. Even on vacation from the “real world” we cannot forget God. (Even in the real world and it’s crazyness, we can’t forget God either.)

So, as you reflect on the story of these two sisters, in whom do you find more of yourself? If you’re like Martha, so busy that you’re missing the goodness in the other room, I encourage you to quickly find a way to take some Sabbath, to rest. Maybe it’s just for 30 minutes tomorrow at the park or maybe it’s more like mine this week far away from it all- whatever you do, don’t miss out. Otherwise you’ll find yourself overwhelmed and seeking help to which God will respond “choose what is better and it won’t be taken away from you.”

Shalom.

May you find rest today.