IPC Messenger 2017 October 2017 | Page 4

WOMEN ’ S MINISTRY

First Things in the Midst of Many Things

Luke 10 tells of the occasion when

Martha invited Jesus and his disciples into her home . Jesus did not have a home and was not welcome everywhere , but this home was a household where he was wanted . During their visit Martha served them and provided for their needs , and soon she complained to our Lord that Mary was not helping her with the work . We go on to read that Mary was sitting at the Lord ’ s feet so that she could listen to him . Jesus knew what was going on with Martha and told her that she “ was anxious and troubled about many things ,” but Mary had chosen the right thing to do . Sometimes we have trouble understanding the right perspective when we are in the heat of life , but our Lord Jesus is teaching us that there are first things in the midst of many things ; and that the first things always involve him .
Aimee Byrd , in her book , No Little Women , tells us in reference to this account of Martha and Mary : “ We are first disciples of the Lord .” Our feet and hands may have much to do for many people , and whatever we do will surely involve hard work , but none of these things are first things . They are not our primary identity . It is easy to confuse our identity because life requires so much of us in order to be faithful to what God has given us to accomplish . Young children are dependent on their mothers for survival as well as nurture twentyfour hours a day , but just because they require all of a mother ’ s time , they are not to occupy first place in a mother ’ s heart . First place is taken . First , we are not a daughter , a wife , a mother , a friend or any other role we might take on . Our primary identity is the identity that we have now and through eternity . First we belong to Christ ; first we are his . That is who we are .
Knowing that we are his first can answer life ’ s complexities for us . We seem to be anxious and troubled when we think that some goal of our own
will not be achieved . But if our goals are him , his ways , and his works of providence , we know that these things are ours . The Lord knows that we , like Martha , will be confused about what we should do and what our perspective should be . Surely there will be times when we are anxious and troubled . Just as our Lord Jesus knew what was going on with Martha , he knows what is going on with us . He was faithful to Martha and he will be faithful to us as he calls us to understand first things in the midst of many things .
— Jane Boatright
PAGE 4 OCTOBER 2017 IPC