A question anyone can answer but will probably only be understood by Christians?

Question

Are you more a Mary or a Martha? Which do you see as more important or pertinent to your role in life? How can we all be more like both of these examples?

Peace Be With You,
Debra

I try to be both but sometimes I find myself more a Martha. I try to use my Martha time to pray as Mary did.I also make myself take time to slow down and just "be" with Jesus.

For those who do not understand: Martha and Mary where Lazarus's sisters. Martha was concerned with the physical things and work for Christ. Mary chose to sit at Christs feet and listen and learn. Both are important and Christ taught this.

Answer 1

It certainly seems that Mary was meditative and spiritual.

(Luke 10:38-42) [Jesus] entered into a certain village. Here a certain woman named Martha received him as guest into the house. This woman also had a sister called Mary, who, however, sat down at the feet of the Lord and kept listening to his word. Martha, on the other hand, was distracted with attending to many duties. So, she came near and said: “Lord, does it not matter to you that my sister has left me alone to attend to things? Tell her, therefore, to join in helping me.” In answer the Lord said to her: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and disturbed about many things. A few things, though, are needed, or just one. For her part, Mary chose the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”

(John 11:1,2,5) Mary and of Martha her sister. It was, in fact, the Mary that greased the Lord with perfumed oil and wiped his feet dry with her hair



But Martha was a spiritual woman herself. Even in the days immediately after her brother's death, we know that Martha actually got up in her grief and went to meet Jesus outside her village! The Scriptures indicate that Martha hardly hesitated before gently pressing Jesus for a miracle on behalf of her brother.

(John 11:1,2,5) Now there was a certain man sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and of Martha her sister. It was, in fact, the Mary that greased the Lord with perfumed oil and wiped his feet dry with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. ...Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

(John 11:20-24,30) Martha, when she heard that Jesus was coming, met him; but Mary kept sitting at home. Martha therefore said to Jesus: “Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died. And yet at present I know that as many things as you ask God for, God will give you.” Jesus said to [Martha]: “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” ...Jesus had not yet, in fact, come into the village, but he was still in the place where Martha met him.

Answer 2

I vaguely remember this story. I think Martha got the short end of the stick, didn't she? There she was, working like a dog, and then she gets reamed out. Her sister got the gold star because she took time to do nothing but listen. I'll bet when it happened, a little voice in Martha's head said "Mary, Mary, Mary! It's always Mary. Mary's so perfect!" (The Brady Bunch fans will get this).

I'm a Martha for sure. I'm a doer. I'd love to be all zen - live in the moment, take time out to do nothing and all that, but there are things that have to get done!

Answer 3

Jesus taught that Mary chose the better of the two things to do.

While her sister Martha was in a huff about making dinner and preparing for Jesus' stay, Mary sat and was quietly listening at Jesus' feet.

Luke 10:40-42 (NKJV)
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." [41] And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. [42] But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
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Yes. There is a time to work...but Jesus clearly teaches us that we are to sit still and worship and learn even though a million things scream for our atttention. Mary chose the better thing...and that frustrated her sister.

Answer 4

It is hard to be Mary in the world of Martha. We are busy busy busy, there is so much that needs to be done. But we need to be able stop doing what we think is so important so that we have time to think what is really important in our life. Carpe diem, cease the moment. Are we serving God or the world?

Both are important. I try to be both. We need to remember that God wants our hearts. Like there is many pathways for a baby boy from childhood to a manhood...there is many ways to serve the Lord.

My life is not my own. He is the Master, I am the servant. He is the Potter, I am the clay...I let Him to mold me. Let Him to make me new. I am willing to give Him rights to use me how ever He pleases. Martha or Mary, I will do it.

Answer 5

I'm a Martha to a fault. I really need to be more like Mary. Or even try to figure out a way to be both equally.

Answer 6

i am unsure of Martha's nature but have always seen beautiful qualities in Mary that i would like to achieve for myself , the motherly role .. the harmony and peace ..patience , kindness
i don't know enough to answer fully
would love to know about you Debra are you Mary or Martha ?


OK after post and ty for helping me out lol
I'm most definitely Mary by nature then ...but working very hard to be Martha

Answer 7

I have been so Martha lately that I almost drive myself batty over the state of my house--which is really not that dirty! Yesterday, I remebered that I need a little bit of Mary to balance it out. I can't shirk my responsibilities completely as a have five kids and a husband to clean up after (I forgot myself!), but I do need a little more down time with the Lord--prayer in order to not go insane!

Answer 8

We live in a world that promotes Martha. You are judged by your productivity and how busy you are. I think I, and most people, fall into that trap. It is more difficult to be quiet and let things happen. I wish I were more like Mary. I suspect all of us should simplify our lives and really analyze all our activities to see how we could spend more time with God, and less time carrying out activities.

Answer 9

Mary - She cared more about the things of Her first Love Jesus. She sought the Kingdom of God first. Women need to be more like Mary so that the men in our lives can be more like Jesus and be about the Father's business. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God. That is why He loved her so much.

Martha - She cared more about what was going on and serving man. Jealous of her sister and told Jesus to do something about it.

Mary is the better of the two. She is my favorite.

Answer 10

I have been very much a Mary lately, trying to learn and understand all that God has planned for me as I am going through a time of my faith being tested. I remind myself constantly to press in to Him and I try to conjure the image of myself being completely wrapped in Him as a child would be wrapped in their father's arms. I know He will get me through what I am going through, and I want to learn all that He has to teach me through this experience. I think this period of my life is definitely a Mary time, a time for learning and listening, and experiencing His love for me.