PEACEFUL DAY

“And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:” 
Luke 10:39-41

There have been times when, in the midst of a task I wondered:
1. Why do I have to do this again?
2. Where are the countless others who can do the same thing?
3. Why aren’t others chastened for their lack of service, availability, and commitment?
4. Am I being used or misused? What have I gotten myself into?
5. What is signified by my willingness to serve?
6. Why can’t others see the need to help?
7. What would happen if I say "No", or stop altogether?

Those questions racing around in your head point to truth. Either your motives for doing a thing aren’t pure, you’re experiencing self imposed burn-out, it’s time to ask for the help you need, or you’re just a little full of yourself and need to take a nap. When you fool around and prove yourself competent at a thing, it can be a mixed blessing. Being assigned a task, and having the natural ability to accomplish it is one thing.  Taking on a task and having the will and wherewithal to complete it is another. Assuming a job, and finding out that it may require more helping hands than your own might be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be a source of intimidation. It certainly shouldn’t reduce you to becoming a tantrum-throwing tattle tale. 
In the passage of scripture, we aren’t told that Martha’s duties were frivolous. Whatever she was doing was probably valid. Nor are we told that Mary was prone to fits of laziness. What we do see, is someone whose attitude toward her work was in need of a little adjustment. It was her attitude that caused Jesus to essentially tell her to get a grip.
Often, we make the mistake of perceiving that our particular task or expertise is more important, preferred, needed, or pressing. What is this need to turn everything into a competition? Could it be approval that we truly seek? As we serve, are we secretly looking for validation, or even a simple thank you? Are we ever evaluating why we serve, and who we represent?Is it a good idea to do so?

 The levels of commitment of individuals are evaluated often. It doesn’t require some lengthy questionnaire. Just think about the number of times you hear, “I can’t do it”, “I’m sorry, I have another engagement”, “I have a standing appointment on that day”, “I have to work”, or any of a host of excuses--valid or otherwise. It’s not difficult to see who makes up the core workers in front of, and behind the scenes. They’re the people you see all of the time, and if they’re missing, you really do miss them. Does this imply that there’s no one else capable of doing their jobs? Of course not! We have a tendency to stick with what has been proven. We gravitate toward the things and people we trust. We’re choosy, for example, about whose cakes or pies we’ll eat. We go to restaurants and look for our favorite waiters and waitresses. We’re loyal to a particular dry cleaner, plumber, doctor, mechanic, or beautician. Based on past experience, we gravitate to what, or who works best for us, and we’re not often eager to change.
I’ve heard people make the statement that a small percentage of people are always doing the lions’ share of the work in any organization. Sometimes I wonder if that’s the case because some people don’t really want help, and perhaps, without even knowing it, they chase good help away. A new person on a task is one thing. A competent new person can be looked upon as threatening. Shouldn’t we, however, be always about the work of mentoring and grooming others to continue the work? Just as there is enough work to go around, there’s certainly enough praise! 
We simply must be sure that our service is not questionable. Someone said that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions", but good intentions are not necessarily bad. If the intents of our hearts are understood by those with whom we work, everyone will be motivated to work in concert. When our intentions are understood, there is no room for skepticism, doubt or impure motives. When we work on one accord, and with one mind, we can create a powerful atmosphere! 
Imagine if Judas had helped Mary to anoint Jesus instead of berating her action and calling it a waste. Imagine if he could have been able to see the purity of her actions, and understand her intentions! Mary sought an opportunity to serve and found it. Judas acted as if he was being somehow inconvenienced by the service that Jesus was given. Mary was not pampering him, or manipulating him for her own personal gain. Mary valued the Lord. He needed to be served in that way. In her eyes, nothing she could have done for him would have been a waste. What she did was necessary and proper. Judas could not see the significance of her actions because he had reduced Jesus to an earthly king who was dispensable. To him, Jesus was a commodity by which he could personally achieve financial gain. He never realized that Mary was serving a man who is the greatest example of a true servant.
When we serve, attitude is everything.