Some have framed Jesus’ response to Martha (Luke 10:41-42) as a rebuke, as though he is telling her that her work is frivolous, a waste of time. But I think Jesus is giving her permission – permission to rest when she is weary, permission to leave the dishes until tomorrow, permission to talk to him when she is overwhelmed, permission to step away from the false belief that our productivity gives us value or buys blessings, permission to focus on the eternal when the now is too overwhelming.
We have the same permission. When the Bible tells us to use our time wisely, we must not confuse that wisdom with the workplace thinking that our productivity determines our value. Biblical wisdom means taking a break, even when that break is from ministry. In Psalm 46:1, God tells the Psalmist and us, “Be still and know that I am God.” Genesis 2 tells us that even God rested (on the seventh day). Of course we must use our time wisely, but there is wisdom in stillness and rest.
This message is excerpted from “God’s time” by Rebecca Eve Schweitzer in the October 2020 Gather magazine. Today we commemorate Mary, Martha and Lazarus of Bethany and Olaf, King of Norway, martyr, 1030.
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