Martha: Trusting God when You Need to be in Control
Martha: Trusting God when You Need to be in Control
Do you have a “doer” mentality? A “doer” is someone who uses their spiritual gifts to serve God and others. Take Mary’s sister, Martha, for instance. Martha has received a lot of criticism over the years, but a closer look at her life might make you think twice. Martha was a “doer”; she knew what her calling was. She was a servant!
In Luke 10:38-42, we see Martha serving Jesus and the disciples when they came to visit her in her home. In this instance, it was her “doer” tendency that distracted her from what was most important, spending time listening to Jesus teach. While Jesus never condemned her actions, He did correct her attitude. Again, in John 12:1-8, while Mary is the central focus of this passage, we see Martha doing what she does best, serving others.
But it was her deep faith in God and especially in Jesus that was the basis for why she was such a “doer” in the first place. John 11:1-44 tells the story of Jesus and the disciples arriving at Mary and Martha’s home four days after their brother, Lazarus, died. The conversation that transpires between Martha and Jesus reveals her deep faith and unwavering trust in Jesus. Martha believes with all of her heart that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the living God, and as such, He also could raise her brother from the dead. That realization made Martha a “trusting doer,” and it will do the same for you!
Beloved, Martha’s overwhelming faith in Jesus was the basis of why she trusted God and needed to be in control when opportunities to use her spiritual gifts came to her. Was she perfect? NO! But she was a “doer,” determined to use her spiritual gifts to serve God and others. How about you? If you struggle with being a “doer,” then maybe your faith isn’t as real as you think!
This is Laine Wilder for Carry the Light Ministries, bringing you Insights From an Elder.
by Laine Wilder
author of “Insights From an Elder” for
Carry the Light Ministries
