The battlefield is in the mind.

“Social media is designed to get you to compare yourself to others. But you don't have to let comparison culture take a toll on your confidence.” Psychology Today

Continuing in our message series, ‘Unwell’, we took a peek at Mary and Martha, two sisters who knew and loved Jesus. A meal would be hosted by these two, for Jesus and for the men who would join him. Lazarus, Mary and Martha’s brother, would be one of the men. The role of women was to prepare the home and the food for guests. Culturally, there would not have been requests to help with setting the table. Roles were specific, clear and honoring those roles made a statement about the family. Living was communal, not individualistic. My attitude and how I conducted myself would be a reflection of my family and my community. This is not an easy concept for those of us living in the current culture of individualism. We seem to think what we choose individually does not ripple away from us and impact others. 

Luke 10 sets the stage.

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

Mary’s choice to sit at the feet of Jesus muddied the waters Martha found herself in. “Really Jesus?” “Mary is sitting while I’m stressed and frazzled preparing this important meal?” I would have silently fumed back in the day, when my youthful mindset was a hamster wheel of busy.

What Martha was doing was important and needed to be done. No takeout available to save time in the kitchen. No convenient foods at all. Jesus did not tell Martha that she shouldn’t care about serving her guests. He did say Mary had chosen the good portion, a portion no one could take from her. 

We clean our homes and we will do it again and again. I can prepare a delicious meal and it will be consumed and enjoyed. I will be cooking again. 

When I look at my own life through the lens of Scripture, I have ingested the living word. The word is in me and with me. God's word cannot be taken from me. My inner space is in a transformative state, ongoing movement, invisible to the naked eye. When I get myself tangled in the comparison web, I’m just as stuck as the housefly. I’m not considering and consulting God’s word when I’m looking around, scanning the cultural landscape. Comparison is a distraction and a thief. 

Comparison never wins. Take in the rich nutrients in God's word. You will reflect the beauty of our Savior. Nothing in this world can compare to that!

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3