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.

Called For A Greater Purpose

A life-changing realization:

"There is something wonderfully sacred that happens when a girl chooses to look past being set aside to see God's call for her to be set apart." ~Lysa TerKeurst

This is a grace. The truth is, yes, I have been set aside, many times. All of us have, at one point or another in our lives, been set aside. And it hurts. But the greater Truth is that God, my Father (*my Father!!!) has called me through and beyond that hurt, wholly His beloved daughter, for a greater purpose. What I love about Lysa's words are this: Though I cannot change or control being set aside, I can acknowledge that it has happened and then choose (this is huge!) to look past this fact and see, know, and believe God's call *for* me to be set apart.  He has chosen me, and I belong wholly to Him.  Every moment of my life, past, present, and future has been redeemed by Jesus's life saving sacrifice and resurrection from the grave. All of me and every moment of my life belongs wholly to Jesus, and He has created me completely anew as God's beloved daughter.

Yes, I have been set aside. It hurts. And in that moment, I choose to turn to You, Jesus.  Help me to turn to You in every moment, for You have redeemed all.  I know and trust as I look to You that You have created me completely anew, set apart as a beloved daughter of God, Our Father. I praise You and thank You, Father. For I am wonderfully made and made new by Jesus. In Your Holy and Saving Name Jesus, I pray and I love You. Amen+

From there where all surrenders come

ELECTED Silence, sing to me
And beat upon my whorlèd ear,
Pipe me to pastures still and be
The music that I care to hear.

Shape nothing, lips; be lovely-dumb:
It is the shut, the curfew sent
From there where all surrenders come
Which only makes you eloquent.

Be shellèd, eyes, with double dark
And find the uncreated light:
This ruck and reel which you remark
Coils, keeps, and teases simple sight.

Palate, the hutch of tasty lust,
Desire not to be rinsed with wine:
The can must be so sweet, the crust
So fresh that come in fasts divine!

Nostrils, your careless breath that spend
Upon the stir and keep of pride,
What relish shall the censers send
Along the sanctuary side!

O feel-of-primrose hands, O feet
That want the yield of plushy sward,
But you shall walk the golden street
And you unhouse and house the Lord.

And, Poverty, be thou the bride
And now the marriage feast begun,
And lily-coloured clothes provide
Your spouse not laboured-at nor spun.

G.M. Hopkins