Dirt under the rug

I had the opportunity to sit with a group of people the other day and we simply sat and took turns answering each others questions. Things like "what was one of the scariest moments in your life? " "what is something you've done that you hope has had a positive impact on other people? " "what is your biggest insecurity?" "When was a time God told you to do something and you didn't do it?" "What is one of the hardest things you've ever had to emotionally deal with?" and the list goes on...

They were questions that weren't exactly the most comfortable to ask or answer, but yet we were able to make ourselves vulnerable to each other. It is one of those lessons that I feel I am taught over and over again. Maybe I should start paying attention?

I all to often hide parts of my life. Some parts that just seem embarrassing, some I'm ashamed of, some that I think will cause others to look at me differently, and some that I believe if I said them out loud would just make them a bit too much of a reality. My struggles, fears, insecurities, and overall imperfections being put on display just seems a bit ridiculous.

I don't think people see me as perfect by any means so don't get me wrong... (just want to clarify that)

I always seem to find my way back to Luke 10:38-42 when I find myself learning this lesson over and over again. (I have been taught an excessive amount of lessons from this passage but this is just one of them.) God's word is alive and well after all...

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Luke 10:38-42

Mary and Martha Worship and Serve

³⁸ Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’feet and heard His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

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So you have Martha stressed out and running around trying to do all things she thought needed to be done to properly serve Jesus and those who were with Him. I'm sure shes trying to gather supplies to make their stay more comfortable, she probably trying to prepare some kind of meal and I'm sure she's trying to clean up any messes that just happen to be lying around.

I can see myself reflected just a little to clearly in that scenerio. I can see myself in the midst of God Himself and the people He loves and my concern is running around trying to sweep my mess of a life under a rug, shove all of my uneccary "trash and junk" into the deepest darkest closets of my heart, and then add to it by trying to do a bunch of "the right thing" preparing to serve up my best to cover up my worst!

Thankfully the story doesn't end there though.

Finally after exhausting herself with everything Martha becomes frustrated with how everything is turning out. It's not nearly how she had it pictured!
And guess what? She does what is necessary to get things right!

“Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”


Feeling like even God Himself doesn't care about what's going on... she approaches Him.
(and lets not forget the fact that there were probably other people there too!)

³⁸ Now it happened as THEY went that He entered a certain village;

Martha, in all her frustration takes her problems to Jesus.
(I can almost hear her heart...) 


      God, I'm tired... my house isn't perfect, I don't feel like I have everything to serve you properly, INCLUDING HELP! My family has me frustrated because even my own sister won't help me! I feel like I'm on my own, and no one understands...  GOD DO YOU EVEN CARE?!?

He could have easily said "Of course I care! I love you!" and simply left it at that... Instead He replied with what she needed, and not just what she wanted

⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

He brought to light (in front of everyone) that her focus wasn't where it needed to be. He could have easily taken her aside and explained to her the problems she needed to rid her life of, why make a scene in front of everyone? I'll just let this speak for itself...


Galatians 6:1-2
1Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

We were never meant to handle everything on our own. God put people in our lives to keep us accountable. To tell us when there is something we need to change and to help us change it. Like I said... this is one of those lessons I keep continuously learning and I'm thankful to be reminded of it once again.

Forever His,
-Sara