Mary of Bethany

Today was a lazy day...my first FULL day off in over a week. To say it was appreciated would be a slight understatement. However I watched to much T.V.- you know that feeling of lethargy that sweeps your mind, your body,even your tummy. I hate that feeling, even if you tried to get up and be productive it is to late; laziness has taken over, your eyes are heavy, and your curling iron won't be of any help...not today.

Trying to shake this feeling of blah-ness, I put on my sweats, threw on some blush and mascara so as to not scare the people on the "outside" and headed over to Roasters for some coffee, granted it was past three o' clock, quite a late start for coffee- it was a start nontheless. My bible, my ipod, and myself set up shop on the couch to see if we might get some Jesus today. He is much needed, and only He can refresh a lethargic soul. Where to begin? I sat quiet no music playing, shifting back and forth to find a posture of comfort... no idea where to start (it's Jesus this should be easy) but lately He seems to be located more closer to the moon than on my skin if you catch my drift. A thought comes to mind, "Mary of Bethany..." says the wind between my ears. Oookay - I think we've got an angle here.

What comes to mind when first thinking of Mary of Bethany? My first thought: She was a feet sitter. The one who sat...at His feet. So I read about her, I found her in Luke and again in John. She was a great woman...what great understanding she carried with her. She knew something about Jesus most didn't. Thats what provoked her to sit as Martha busied herself with dinner. Thats what seduced her to waste a years wages of costly oil on His feet...wiping them with her hair and tears and oil. She knew this man...something about Him. And it caused her to sit, and to spill, and to love Him.

I want to be like Mary of Bethany. Now I know this is supposed to be an "inspirational blog" so I should be wrapping this up with something inspiring to say. But all I've got is this feeling like, "Man, I'm the furthest thing from Mary". What did she know? Jesus said Mary had it DOWN... not quite in those words He said it more like, "...one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42) What was the one thing? For a quick recap: Jesus comes over for some dinner or something...and Martha is in the kitchen getting it all ready, she hurries and throws the dishes in the clay sink, turns over the fish, slices some honeycomb, sets the table, and in the midst realizes "Waaait a second. MARY! Get your toosh over here, I am not about to do this all by my self!" seeing that Mary can clearly give two rips she rushes into the living room, only to find Jesus sitting on the chair telling stories-and Mary... laaaazy Mary sitting infront of Him near his feet looking up. "Jesus!" chimes Martha, "would you tell Mary to do something!?" Jesus looks up, kindly but honestly, "Martha. Martha," ouch...He said it twice. "...One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken from her." I don't know how Martha took it, hopefully she popped a squat.

All I know is I don't sit at feet very well. I am not quite sure why, why it's so hard to sit down, and listen...ask some questions, hear some stories, enjoy His company. Its the ONLY thing that will last. For those of us with the Martha hat on its a hard pill to swallow. But think about it, the meal will only last for no more than an hour. Jesus says at the end of the age He will come again, as people filter into the gates of glory some get shut out. Dazed and confused they ask, "UMM LORD? We cast out demons together remember? You taught in our temples...we prophesied in Your name. Isn't that a ticket in?" What's His reply? "Depart from me, I never KNEW you".  One thing. One thing. It just so happens to be the worst thing I do, that one thing. But dang, I have to learn how. I have to find His value...He has to be my prize - I have to know that I am His as well.

Can I just say one last thing. I am relieved at His goodness, all that is necessary is that I sit at His feet? You know, that one thing alone sets Him so far apart from every other god. That He cares to tell me stories, to hear my dreams, to catch my tears, to make me laugh, to give me love...truly there is no one like Him.

I leave you with this, "...for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything." 1 John 3:20

phew.