Action of Faith

Have you ever wanted to do something that was not expected- something you knew was right even though others expected different? Something that deep down you knew was the right thing to do, and yet as you looked around you knew you were about to “Stir things up" if you went through with it? If you have been in that situation and held back, how did you feel afterward? Did you regret not doing what you knew to do, and therefore ended up settling for doing what was expected of you? The regret would ultimately be that you could never go back and change your decision, and you would live with that for the rest of your life- don't you agree?

There are two sisters in the Bible whose names are Martha and Mary and their story relates to this very issue. Mary in this story did exactly what she knew was right, even though others around her would not have agreed with her. Her story demonstrates faith and courage and for that, she is be admired. Her story is as follows:

Jesus was traveling with His disciples and they came upon Martha, and she invited them to her home for a meal. When they arrived, I’m sure they were all getting settled in and waiting for their meal to be prepared by Martha and her sister Mary. Mary though decided she was going to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear what He was saying to His disciples. I picture Martha in her kitchen just going crazy trying to get everything done for these men, and she looks around to see her sister Mary not helping her but sitting at the feet of Jesus. The Bible says Martha was upset and went to Jesus and asked Him, “Lord do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” Jesus then replies saying “Martha, Martha you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Now as you read this you could be asking yourself "Where's the faith at in this story?" After all, this is a book about stories of faith. The faith of Mary in this story is incredible because she went against everything that was expected of her for that culture and time. Women did not go and "Hang out” with men, leaving the kitchen duty to other women. Women were to be in the kitchen doing the meal preparation and cleaning up. So to go and do what she did required a lot of faith. Her actions also turned everyone’s heads in the house that day, especially her sister, because as we know she was not very happy with Mary's action. Mary chose the right thing to do even though it wasn't in the eyes of others. Remember, Jesus confirmed the actions of Mary to her sister and the others that were there by His words to Martha. There wasn't anything said by the men throughout all of this, but I'm sure they were thinking the same thing Martha was. For Mary being with Jesus and learning from Him at that divine moment was more important than any custom or so-called etiquette. It took faith to step out like she did and to take a seat at Jesus' feet, but despite it all she did it. 

A lot of times we end up doing what is expected of us and not what we know to do. I'm not saying break the rules and do what you want and disrespect authority. Respecting authority is a must because God requires it of us. We all must do certain things that we do not want to do because it is required. I'm saying though it takes a lot of faith to step out and be the only one to do what is expected of God and not worry about man's expectations of you. Too often we tie ourselves together with other people and assume what is right for them is right for us and vice versa. We do not ask God what He expects us to do.

Mary because of her actions that day had everyone looking at her and she knew they would when she did it. She knew when Jesus stepped foot into that house, she was staying forever wherever He was and wasn’t leaving His side, no matter what anyone thought about her or what they thought she should be doing. 

So, what is God asking you to do, and your perhaps too afraid to do, because it would be going against what is expected of you? What action is God asking you to do in faith unto him?  Do whatever it is He has said and watch how He will confirm your action of faith to those around you- by doing things God's way you will never be disappointed that you took that action of faith!

From Gardens of Splendor by Gina Burns