With it being Sunday, I thought it appropriate to share the one Bible story, in particular, which really got my goat when I was just two bricks and a ticky high. And it still does. It’s the one about Martha and Mary, sisters who lived together in Bethany and decided to invite Jesus, who was expected in the village, over for dinner. The story goes something like this:
"They had to get the house prepared. Only the best was good enough for Jesus and they were very excited. Martha started to sweep the floors, followed by dusting and polishing. She then put fresh oil in all the lamps. Mary made the bed in the guest room, hoping Jesus would stay the night. Martha, in the meantime, began cooking all the most delicious things that she could think of. The smell of her cooking filled the house while Mary stood watching at the door. “He’s coming, he’s coming,” she called out in glee. Martha and Mary then went out to meet Jesus – asking him to join them for a meal accordingly. Jesus adored Martha and Mary and accepted gracefully. However, as soon as they reached the house, Martha hurried back to her cooking. Martha fussed and worried over the big meal, ending up with flour in her hair and water all over the ground. She was getting tired and irritable. ‘Mary ought to be helping me. It’s not fair,’ she thought. Eventually, Martha hurried to fetch Mary whom she found in deep conversation with Jesus. “Please, Master,” said Martha. “Tell Mary to come and help me. I’m doing all the work.” But Jesus said, “Dear Martha, you are worrying and fussing about the wrong things.” Jesus said, “I know you are doing all this work for me, and you are very kind, but Mary has chosen to do the best thing.” “Take the pots off the fire,” said Jesus, “and come and talk to me too”. So Martha did what Jesus said. Martha found out that it is more important to talk to Jesus."
I have always had a problem with this fable. I am sure Martha would much rather have ‘parked’ off in the lounge chatting to Jesus while someone else tended to the housework and cooking. But somebody has to do it, right? And if Mary had helped a little more from the beginning, everything might have been ready by the time He arrived, and they both could have chilled over a glass of water, He might have changed to wine. Instead, poor old Martha gets scolded for ‘fussing’ and Mary is the archetype! Maybe I am riled because I am all too often the ‘Martha’ in the equation! In my mind, Martha had every right to get annoyed with Mary as she, too, wished to spend some quality time with Jesus.
But, in my little life thus far, I have seen the moral of this story ring true in broader application. I have seen those who are least productive, and most sociable (with the right people!) get the promotions and the increases. As the adage goes:”It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. This can be extrapolated further: “It’s not what you know or what you do; it’s who you know and how you do it!” Just the other day, I savoured a lengthy call from a friend in the UK. I asked him how his job was faring, and he replied that it was going very well. In fact, he was now in a higher position and earning more, but doing less! I asked him to explain and his response was: “You know - I found that the moment I started holding back a little more, I gained more respect from management.” I concurred that this was what my experience had shown me too, although I have never actually tried it myself (rebelliously so). I have realized that my biggest downfall, ironically, is that I consistently go the extra mile; that my focus is not to gain favour with management but rather to progress on pure merit and performance alone. What I vehemently denied was that I would never be up for promotion because they would not find someone else to do the ‘dirty work’ as well as I did! It’s a quirk of fate indeed, turned practically onto its head, if you ask me. On more than one occasion, my very show of enthusiasm has counted against me!
So, for all those who aspire to climbing the proverbial ladder, make like Mary and let Martha do all the fussing while you slow down and spend some time with Jesus. It’s the right thing to do – apparently!
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