You Follow Who You Listen To

My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10-27-28

Were you ever lost as a child? Or, if you are a parent, have you ever lost your child? I have one son who is a social butterfly, and his first goal whenever we arrive somewhere is to make a friend. At the playground one day he ran off before I had even gotten his younger brother out of the car. It was a pretty big playground, but I could hear his voice no matter where he went. Whether it was his squeal of laughter, counting to 10 as he played hide-and-seek with a new friend or just his simple statements as he made his way around the playground, I always knew he was there – even when I couldn’t see him. 

As the morning went on, the playground became more and more crowded. I’d find myself getting distracted with his younger brother for a moment or two, but then I’d pause and listen and I’d hear him again. This went on for a little while until I stopped and realized I could no longer hear his voice. There were more children and parents than there had been all morning, and I realized that there were voices I was being drawn to that were not my child’s; voices that sounded pleasant but were making it more difficult for me to determine which was the one that belonged to my son.

I started a new bible study and recently one of the teachers presented on the historical account of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). A familiar story to most, we usually hear this story and are left feeling a bit guilty; I know I do. I relate much more with Martha than I do with Mary, but this week the story resonated with me in a way it hadn’t before. You see, typically I hear this story and I focus on all of the ways Martha (I) was at fault; however, this time I heard Jesus’ voice differently. 

As you may recall, Martha invited Jesus and his disciples into her home, and instead of helping with preparations that typically come with house guests, Martha’s sister Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus. Frustrated and slightly annoyed, Martha requests that Jesus put Mary in her place, but much to Martha’s surprise he suggests that Mary has chosen the most important thing: to pause and listen to his voice. 

“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 10:41-42

Martha is worried and upset about “many things”. She is likely distracted – there are lots of voices in her home at this time: Jesus, disciples voices in the background, and there may have been other guests that had followed Jesus there. Martha may have heard voices outside as people in the streets were going about their daily lives, and she likely was hearing her own internal voice rattling off a never-ending to-do list: sift the flour, make sure I have enough oil, are my guests comfortable?, do I have enough food?, did I forget to take out the trash? 

There were voices upon voices upon voices – it was becoming increasingly difficult to focus on the ONE voice that mattered most. Additionally, the culture of the day would have dictated her “place” and, as a woman, it certainly was not at the feet of a rabbi. I’m sure Martha would have loved to enjoy her company, but there was work to be done!

Are you seeing yourself in Martha? Do you find yourself struggling with the voices of the day? There are voices constantly competing for our head space: our own, our spouse/parents/roommates, our children, friends, coworkers, boss, the media, politicians… add to that the hundreds of voices we “hear” on social media multiple times in a day and we find that we, like Martha, can easily find ourselves “worried and upset about many things.” Many of us can find ourselves falling into traps that our culture sets for us; it’s easy to tell ourselves that we just don’t have the time we desire to spend at the feet of Jesus.

As I was reflecting on this story I read Jesus’ words as a gentle correction, an invitation even. I’m certain Martha wanted to be with Jesus. If given the choice, I imagine she would have chosen to sit at his feet over preparing a huge meal….maybe, just maybe, she needed an invitation. Maybe Martha needed permission to press pause; to trade in chaos for rest.

I think it’s interesting that we don’t actually learn the ending to this story; Luke never tells us if Martha chooses to leave the mess in the kitchen or if she gives in to culture and returns to her preparations. Since we know that all scripture is God-breathed we know this was done on purpose. It’s almost as if Jesus is giving us an opportunity to write the ending. In the past I would read this story and let guilt dictate my response, but this time I no longer felt shame for myself or Martha – I felt freedom! 

Christ isn’t asking us to neglect the things we were called to, but he is inviting us; giving us permission even, to quiet the voices in our lives that are not serving us or our calling.

Do you need to take a break from social media?
Do you need to limit your intake of the news to only a couple times a week?
Do you need a firm time every day to turn off your computer and let your emails sit until the following morning?
Do you need to set an expectation with your spouse and children that your quiet time with Jesus is non-negotiable?  

Sisters, it’s time to press pause and confidently take your place at the feet of your Savior! Accept his invitation TODAY, to ask for and accept his forgiveness, and to rest in the eternal hope he offers you.

That morning on the playground I had to actively drown out the voices I was hearing. I knew if I could quiet all of the voices that didn’t belong to me I could make my way back to my son. The relief and happiness I experienced that morning when I felt his embrace was tremendous, but as wonderful as that earthly moment felt I know it cannot compare to the peace and joy that awaits me in heaven with Jesus. 

You will follow who you listen to. Jesus is calling; listen.

Father, thank you for our sweet sisters in Christ, Mary and Martha. Thank you that this small glimpse into their lives shows me that I, too, have been extended the same invitation to pause and listen to you. I pray that you would give me wisdom and discernment over which voices in my life I need to quiet in order to hear you better. Thank you for the eternal hope and peace offered through Jesus. It’s in his beautiful and powerful name I pray, Amen.