The lie is: All women should be more like Mary and less like Martha.
The truth is: All women should be fully who God created them to be, worshiping as they go!

Jesus absolutely loved Martha's service as much as Mary's worship.

In Luke 10:41, when Jesus says His famous, "Martha, Martha" line, He is NOT saying Mary is better than Martha, nor that Martha should try to be more like Mary. He's simply pointing out that women like to compare themselves with each other, find fault in each other, and use those moments to feel either a) very superior or b) sorry for themselves.

In the moment we're discussing in this Mary/Martha Monday Series, Martha's gotten her priorities all mixed up. Instead of worshiping and being grateful as she worked, she turned her focus to discontent with her sister's calling.

Jesus responded so lovingly. I don't see a demeaning, icky tone anywhere. I imagine Him looking at Martha with so much love, appreciation and compassion as He gently said:

"Martha, Martha. You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I'm going to amplify this in the way I understand it, the way I hear Him saying it:

• Martha, Martha. You are my favorite "hostess with the mostest." You always take such good care of Me when I visit your home. I love you so much!
• You are worried and upset about many things - At the moment, you've let all those irons in the fire, and the meal you're preparing, become your mini-god. I'm excited to taste what you've got cooking, but I'd love for you to be able to make it for me, for all of us, in a spirit of peace and joy instead of worry and anxiety.
• few things are needed—or indeed only one. Sweetheart, focus all your work and effort and desire and love on Me. I love you! I came to your home fully expecting to experience your love through good cooking. I plan to enjoy upcoming the meal you're preparing for Me, but I never intended or want to take advantage of you! Take your time, enjoy the process, worship as you work, and another day, you and I, we'll walk and talk the way you like to do it with Me. I love that, too!
• Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. Martha, in this moment, Mary's spending time with me. She's thought through her options, has chosen to believe God will help you in the kitchen, and is giving ME her undivided attention. I'm loving this, Martha! This is a special time for me and Mary. Will you let her do this for Me? Will you gift this to her? And, precious Martha, I can hardly wait to taste what I'm smelling when dinner time comes--as long as you do it for me from a heart of love. Yes?

It's almost more important to consider what He DIDN'T say. He did not say:

• Martha, come sit here. The meal will make itself.
• Martha, face it, your sister is better than you.
• Martha, I see your service and disapprove.

He only addressed her momentary misunderstanding of the situation. He felt loved by both, so in His compassion toward her, as she was left alone to prepare the meal without help, and His determination to not allow to remain stuck in the lie, He corrected her thinking, for our benefit.

Both Mary's "sitting down focus" and Martha's "standing up service" were highly valued by Jesus. It was His desire to make us WHOLE that prompted His verbal correction.

He offered it only when Martha a) felt sorry for herself, b) spoke a lie as if it was the truth and c) criticized a sister for worshiping God that He intervened.

I truly believe that if Martha had worshiped as she worked that day, as did on so many other days, this perspective transformation would have never taken place. But, for our benefit, it did. Praise God!

Satan, in his usual way, twisted and still twists this moment from a beautiful example of how God loves EVERY woman's worship, into something that has caused hard-working women to feel shameful.

I'm excited to launch this Mary/Martha Mondays series to explore more on this topic!

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Deb Copeland lives to give. An author, world class entrepreneur, former Fortune 500 executive, adoptive parent, philanthropist, ministry leader, wife, mother, and lover of souls, Deb has spoken to multitudes from coast to coast. With clarity and authenticity, she shares how Jesus Christ has sustained her through her darkest, most difficult times, and how you, too, can experience His grace. Learn more at www.DebSpeaks.com
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Maureen Hager is an author, inspirational speaker, and blogger. Her book, Love’s Bullet, chronicles her journey from a wounded victim in a biker gang war to a transformed life by God’s love. Learn more at www.MaureenHager.com.

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Born on an Easter Sunday, Deborah Lovett is an evangelist at heart. Through her five books, conferences, short stories, infographics and online community of over 800 at Women Gathered, she points hearts to Jesus. Learn more at www.DeborahLovett.com.