(This article is my response to those to want to criticize and judge me because I love and promote Christian yoga and Christian meditation.)
What’s troubling you today? In the story of Mary and Martha, Martha became angry because Mary wasn’t doing what she wanted her to do. She was not helping to prepare the evening meal, set the table, clean the house, and all the other tasks Martha deemed necessary. Instead, Mary chose to abide in God’s presence and sit at his feet. Mary was not going to be satisfied doing a bunch of tasks for the Lord. No, she wanted intimacy with Him, to dwell in his presence, bask in his light, and listen intently to every word that proceeded out of his mouth.
To Martha, it appeared Mary was being lazy and idle. How dare she make her do all the work! She began to judge and criticize Mary harshly, and finally, when she just couldn’t constrain herself any more, she balked, “Jesus, I’m doing all the work here while Mary is sitting idly at your feet!” (paraphrased) To that Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha, you are troubled and worried about many things but Mary has chosen the better way and it not be taken away from her.”
Judge not and you shall not be judged. Forgive and you shall be forgiven. For with the same measure that you judge you will be judged. For it is before our own master that we stand or fall and God is able to make us stand for Him.
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“Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.” –Romans 14:4
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You may be troubled by many things today as well? Perhaps someone isn’t living up to your expectations or a situation isn’t going your way. We are so quick to throw stones and criticize but only God knows a person’s heart and true motives. Perhaps God would prefer we stop focusing on others and look at our own heart. Mary sat happily and peacefully at Jesus’ feet abiding in his presence and fellowshipping with Him. While on the other hand, Martha angrily felt her service and judgments were more important. Martha was wrong.
If you are troubled, follow both Martha’s and Mary’s example today. As Martha did, take your concerns directly to God, and as Mary did, sit at his feet, dwell in his presence, and bask in his love. God is in control.
Christian meditation, Christian yoga, soaking in God’s presence, and meditating on his word are my attempts to abide in God’s presence, to worship Him in spirit and in truth. You may have your own methods. Thank God we have the freedom and grace to live out our own soul salvation. We can base our Christian walk on service, but Jesus says abiding is better. That is what I have chosen to do.