The Highlight Reel

The story of Mary and Martha found in the Bible is one that I have always been drawn to.  Generally, the way this story is viewed is that Martha was the wayward one and Mary was the one making good choices.  But I always feel bad for Martha because I can SO relate to her.  Perhaps we could show her a little grace.  I mean, couldn’t it have been that on the particular few hours chronicled in Luke 10:38-42, Martha was just having a bad day?

Martha had great intentions.  She was working for Jesus.  Busily cooking and preparing a meal for the wonderful Savior that had come to visit.  I bet she was cleaning and straightening up everything around her as well.  She was working hard to make sure everything was perfect.  And these were her gifts.  She took great pleasure in hosting others (I’m assuming a little here).  And this time the stakes were even higher – Jesus was in her home.

But as she was working, she began to feel anger and even jealousy perhaps towards lazy Mary who was just sitting there (I added in the word lazy).  Granted, Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus.  Listening to His words, learning from Him, expressing a sincere desire to understand.  Mary did make the right choice.  Mary was having a good day, actually a great day! Perhaps Martha was seeing an image that day from Mary’s highlight reel.  And this comparison caused Martha not only to be a little jealous, it caused her to lose her joy.

Do you ever feel a little jealous and perhaps lose your joy when comparing yourself to others?  As much as I love to communicate through social media it definitely has its drawbacks.  Facebook, twitter, Instagram all reflect images from others highlight reels.  Pictures that display each of us in the best possible light.  Perhaps while on vacation or surrounded by the best of friends.  Always appearing happy, usually on our best hair days, wearing nice clothes, and everything is going great for us.

The truth is, most of what really goes on in our lives behind the scenes, in our homes, and in our hearts usually is never known through our highlight reels.  Theodore Roosevelt once said that “Comparison is the thief of joy”.  He was so right.  When we start to compare ourselves to others, joy can be the first thing to go.

And when we are focused on others, it causes us to lose our focus on Christ. Think about it, here was Martha with Jesus in her very presence and all she could think about was Mary.

Perhaps like me you can also relate to Martha’s busyness. There are days when I am working hard for Jesus but that isn’t always the right choice.  Sometimes He calls us to be still and listen for His direction. And sometimes being still is hard to do.  There are moments in our lives (that definitely don’t make our highlight reel) when deep down we know exactly what God is calling us to do or not do and we don’t make the right choice.  Perhaps like Martha we need a little grace.

My prayer is that we stop comparing ourselves to those around us and instead look upward, keeping our focus on Christ, and allow Him to direct our steps. In that, there is pure joy!