Worried and Upset About Many Things?

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things..."

As I was reading and reflectng on this oft-debated passage--and trying to get beyond the usual arguments of work versus rest--I was impressed by what I was NOT reading.

Jesus does not tell Martha how horrible she is, or order her away from His presence.  He does not tell her that He is not her friend any more, or that He is disappointed with her. 

Jesus loved Martha very much.  She and her siblings (Mary and Lazarus) were some of His closest friends.  And though He corrects her, He is clearly NOT condemning her.

Something else was not being said.  Contrary to popular belief, Jesus was NOT telling Martha that she should not work or serve.

Due to the old argument, I had come to accept that there was a reason why Jesus was rebuking Martha for her work ethic.  "Martha, Martha, you work too hard" or, "what are you doing making me a meal when you could be over here with me" are NOT Jesus words (although the motive for her work may be in question).

It would seem that Jesus is getting at Martha's heart, "...you are worried and upset about many things." 

Perhaps her worries and her upsettedness are distracting her from resting in Jesus' presence, perhaps even fueling an unhealthy sense of busyness that inhibited her from enjoying the company of Jesus and Mary for a bit.

Either way, Jesus seems to be quietly reaffirming His love for Martha while gently exposing her worried and upset heart.

In this, I realize my own worry and upsettedness, how at times this condition of the heart fules a frantic (restless) sort of work or service. 

At times I am aware that I am busying myself in order to justify avoidance of relationships, be it with people or even Jesus.

When my heart is troubled with things I could trust God with, or occupied with cynicism, criticalness, or anger over some injustice, I find that I am being tossed about by these storms rather than resting in what I know to be true...rather than resting in the One I know to be True.

...and even then I am a bit embarrassed to come into His presence.  I hesitate to think that He realy wants to be with me after allowing myself to get so worked up and tossed about.  It takes a while to come back down from my hightened state to begin accepting His unconditional love and limitless forgiveness for me. 

And sometimes it takes a good deal of humility to undo a pride that insists making things right myself.

Either way, I am grateful for that still small voice that speaks into my self-impossed storm.  A voice of correction that brings re-direction and a strange sense of acceptance and peace.  "Chris, your heart is worried and upset about many things.  Stop.  Come sit with Me for a while, and I will calm your storm."