Self-Control, Diets and all that….
I don’t know when it happened but it seems like overnight my weight went out of control and I’m considerably heavier than I was 15 years ago. I’ve been working at home for most of that time and I guess it must be that constant nibbling through the day, rather than proper meals because it was easier and simpler to do. I did go to Weight Watchers 2 years ago and that helped but I still have to be mindful of what I put into my mouth.
Self-control is not an easy thing, especially if it’s not something you want to do. I want to still be able to eat anything I like as I did when a young girl but my body doesn’t behave the same way it used to.
I wonder how Mary learnt to just sit and not allow other things to distract her? Did she struggle with learning self-control or was it a part of her natural make-up? Was it possible that her desire to be with the Lord was stronger than anything else in her life?
Did Martha struggle with self-control, allowing other things to constantly grab her attention and therefore stealing precious time she could spend with Jesus? Or was it that she saw herself as ‘doing’ for him rather than ‘being’ with him?
January 15th, 2008 at 2:16 am
Kathie,
I can identify with both Mary and Martha. I want to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His teaching, but somebody has to cook the beans!
Pam Archer
January 15th, 2008 at 2:23 am
I know what you mean Pam - you and me both!
February 9th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I think Martha may have been concerned about the outside peripherals rather than being with Jesus one on one. I believe her heart was in the right place, but in all the planning and preparation, she lost sight of what is most important - Jesus.
We do this today - we get wrapped up in our churches groups and activities, pot lucks, different ministries that we forget the most important part of all of that - Jesus. How is our relationship with Jesus? Do we spend time with Him daily? Do we read our Bibles daily and put things into practice daily?
I don’t think what Mary did was wrong in cooking for Him (after all, that’s being hospitable which we are supposed to do) - but her trying to pull Martha away from Jesus IS wrong. Cooking takes a back seat when you have Jesus sitting in your living room!
March 9th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Does this site forget that it was Martha who believed and took time to ask Jesus to help Lazarus? Let’s hear it for Martha!
June 12th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Jesus was capable of turning water into wine and feeding thousands with a fes loaves and fishes, Martha didn’t have to spend her time preparing and elaborate meal. It was revolutionary of a Rabbi to let a woman ’sit at His feet’; Mary realised this and choose the more excellent way.