July 21,2019 Luke 10:38-42 “Martha, Martha…tsk, tsk, tsk”

July 21,2019  Luke 10:38-42  “Martha, Martha…tsk, tsk, tsk” Pastor Jacqueline Hines

I had an aunt who was more dedicated to her little church than anybody else in the family as I was growing up. She was at the church day and night, which was easy since she lived next door to the church. The pastor and his family lived across the street. My auntie was known for her sweetness, her constant smiles and her contagious giggles.

She was rewarded greatly for her service. People gave her constant hugs and applause and kind words. Not many seemed to notice that she was working herself into a frazzle at home and at church. Her little boys all sat in the front pew, with crisp white shirts and bow ties, shiny shoes and hair combed to perfection. Her little girls pretty as princesses with the longest, silkiest, curliest hair than anyone in town.

There was no thought given to the idea that she was overdoing it. There was no thought given to the idea that she could not say “no” even that day she was found sitting in her kitchen, staring into space, frozen by anxiety. She was still smiling as we stood near her bedside in the emergency room a few years later. We listened as the doctor noted there was no real physical reason for her sudden dysfunction that was apparently stress related.

By the time we understood that she was not able to speak up for herself, she was not able to say “no”, that indeed she was partly exhibiting the behavior of a little girl, instead of a grown woman, she had suffered, even been abused, and pushed around in more ways than one.

She was meticulous and careful, probably to the point of obsession and compulsion, about many things as Martha was. Jesus and all his friends were always welcome in her wonderful home. Like Martha, we enjoy our work, we appreciate the applause and the nice rewards. Still, Jesus has something greater than the joy and the comfort we get from serving and doing a good job and accomplishing great work.  

When we want to be blessed, we do what Mary did, make it a priority to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn. There we can learn at least three ways to a deeper, sweeter, and richer relationship with the Lord and with one another.

The first thing we can learn when we sit at the feet of Jesus is that praise is powerful. Praising the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit and even the children of God whether in song, testimony, loving words or deeds is meaningful – praise matters. [slide # 1 Praise ]

Praise has the power to position us in our proper place and deliver us from improper places. Praise puts us in the right place at the right time. For every labor of love and every labor pain, praise pushes us into the deep waters where plentiful treasures and pleasures are found. Praise can placate an enemy and bring peace. Praise pays. A genuine, insightful pat on the back can earn us a friend forever! Most of all praise pleases God and when God is pleased, the heavens rejoice, the trees clap their hands and the rocks sing loud hallelujahs. A plan to praise is a plan to win. Let us not be too distracted to praise God and God’s people.

The second thing we learn at the feet of Jesus is that prayer matters. [slide # prayer] Every prayer we breathe out, like every breath we take in matters. Even short prayers like short breaths are critical to our wellbeing. Prayers that are long and deep, like breaths that are long and deep, calm us. Prayer changes the atmosphere for good, within and without. Prayer informs. Have you ever breathed a prayer and noticed that God gave you the words to pray as you took your next breath? Have you ever received thoughts and ideas that were the answer to a prayer that you did not even pray yet? Have you ever prayed a prayer that was in scripture because it resonated in your heart – such as Jesus’ prayer – “not my will but yours be done” or Thomas’s prayer – “Lord show us the way,” or a desperate unspoken prayer of the many biblical parents for their children – ‘save my child.’  Prayer can take on peculiar patterns that weave us tightly together and unite us a one. Prayer has a particular momentum that moves hearts and minds, making a difference that matters. Let us not be too distracted to move at the impulse of God’s love and pray for ourselves and for God’s people.

The third thing we learn as we sit at the feet of Jesus is to meditate, to be still and know that God is God and we are not. [slide# 3 meditation] A few weeks ago I went on a preaching planning retreat and enjoyed working for 25 minutes and then alternated walking quietly in the woods for 25 minutes, listening and giving thanks and waiting as the quiet refreshed my soul. After that retreat, I spent several days fasting from my usual routine of television news and radio broadcasts. The long silences made room for more of God, more space to hear myself think, to hear God’s love for me and others. Even a couple minutes of meditation can change the course of your day and your life. Let us not be too distracted to meditate for God’s sake and for ours.

There are important blessings that we can only get at the feet of Jesus. We learn that praise, prayer, and meditation draw us close to God and to one another in marvelous ways. May we pay the price for peace and be a little less distracted and be content to sit at the feet of Jesus today and forever. [slide # 4  new life sign] Amen. [slide# 5 little boy…rejoice]