Serving from the Strength of Christ

Adapted from a previous post:

Several years ago, I read the book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. It was a wonderful book that I studied with a group of ladies. During our discussion, some of us related more to Martha, some more to Mary, and some to both, depending on the place we were at in our lives.

I confess that at times I can relate to neither Martha nor Mary, as I have an awful tendency to be both lazy and not prayerful at the same time, just sort of sitting around focusing inward rather than upward toward God. This is a constant battle and it is good to know that God never takes His eye off of me, even if I wander away from Him.

One of the best things from the Weaver's book was a discussion of the 3 Deadly D's:

Distraction, Discouragement, and Doubt

We can end up on a path of downward spiral simply by becoming distracted, and we all know this is so easy to do in the information/entertainment age in which we live. Once we hit discouragement, which may be where Martha was when she complained about Mary not helping her, it is not far until we are clouded with doubt that can pull us into despair (a D all it's own) if we are not vigilant. It takes a recollected, prayerful heart to keep from being pulled into this downward spiral. When we are recollected in the Love of God, then we can serve from the strength of Christ, rather than our own inevitable weakness.  But I still thank God for my weakness, because it is there where I have found Jesus and His Sacred Heart, ready to pour out His love and healing in abundance.

Another very clarifying element of the book for me was Weaver's discussion of concern versus worry and her battle against fear.  Weaver tells us, "Concern draws us to God. Worry pulls us from him."

Concern	Worry
Involves a legitimate threat	Is often unfounded
Is specific (one thing)	Is generalized (spreads to many things)
Addresses the problem	Obsesses about the problem
Solves problems	Creates more problems
Looks to God for answer	Looks to self or other people for answers

So, if we find ourselves anxiety ridden, fearful, or insecure, we must give our anxieties, fears and worries to God, and He will give us peace. We need only trust in Him and His love and care for us and our needs.