Becoming a non-anxious presence
One of the things that can cause anxiety is when we have a lot to do and others aren’t helping. You might have heard the saying “Many hands make light work”. Well, it’s true. But sometimes we need to discover that being still is actually productive too.
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 named 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, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
In the Gospel of Luke Jesus teaches us the importance of not striving. He isn’t saying that serving others is bad, or hospitality is somehow less than, or unspiritual. For Mary, self-care was a good choice, because it was more important that she stop and listen to Jesus at that moment, rather than be anxious about all the preparations she had to do. For Martha, Jesus was addressing the anxiety in her, and pointing toward the pathway to become a non-anxious presence.
Jesus defends Mary and is adamant that Martha will not take away her sisters’ need. In the same way, when we choose the ancient path, the path toward alignment with Christ, Jesus will always intervene and advocate for us too. Jesus Christ fights for us to slow down! He wants us to stop striving, to be still, to sit at his feet and listen to his Word. Are you striving in certain situations right now? How can you learn from this story about slowing down, and becoming a non-anxious presence?
Father God,
Open my eyes, like Martha, to see where I am striving and anxious. I confess that I have become worried and distracted by many things and fears. Help me to be like Mary, to be a non-anxious presence. I cast all my anxiety upon you Lord, because I know that you care for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
