11 Feb The Anxious Ezer

We are called to be Ezers to those around us—to our husbands, children, co-workers, friends, family, even perfect strangers.  Inviting, nurturing, and partnering are all things that God calls us to do and to be in order to fulfill our calling and bring Him glory.  Sometimes thinking of the ways to incorporate all of these core capacities into our lives can feel overwhelming and almost paralyzing.

In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary.  Can you imagine getting a phone call from a dear friend who says he’s stopping by for a meal and he’s bringing 12 of his friends?  Obviously, Martha wants things to be inviting for Jesus and His disciples.  She wants the meal to be nourishing and wants them to feel rested and safe in her home.  And then there is Mary. She sits at Jesus’ feet and listens as he teaches.  As Martha runs around the home frantically, catching a word here and there, she finally asks Jesus to rebuke her sister for not helping.  Jesus, loving Martha as he says it, admonishes, “My dear Martha you are worried and upset over all these details!  There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Martha’s work is good and is what God calls her to—at the right time and place; but at this time, the one thing she needs to do is listen and be willing to be taught by Jesus. And by that I mean to be whole-heartedly committed to receiving His truth, not just catching pieces here and there in the midst of our “Ezering.”  Even as I type this, I’m thinking of all that I should be doing to be an Ezer.  Tomorrow I have lots of family coming to our house for a meal.  So I have LOTS to do to make sure I’m being inviting and nurturing and partnering.  But when I read this passage, I feel God pulling me to stop being rushed and concerned about all of the details around me and to sit at His feet.  He’s calling me to worship, to depend, and  to obey.  Only then will I even have what I need to be an Ezer to those around me.

Put your name in the blank and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to sit at Jesus’ feet.  “My dear _____________________, you are worried and upset over all these details!  There is only one thing worth being concerned about.  Discover it and it will not be taken away from you.”

– Chappell Hughes, Downtown