Yeah, I know this
book’s been out for ages and the hype around it’s died down, but I can’t very
well keep up with all the latest and greatest books coming off the Christian
presses and read every bestseller that’s made it big, now can I? The correct response is: no, of course not. Anyways, I’ve heard great
things about Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World ever since the book came
out, but I forgot about wanting to read it until recently when meeting with my
spiritual director. She mentioned she
had a copy of it.
I enjoyed the
book, just as I imagined I would. The
more in-depth, story-like approach and commentary on the trio at Bethany was
easy to read and the author’s personal struggles to balance work with worship I
could identify with all too well.
For years, I’ve
had trouble with living out the “be still and know I am God” (Psalm
46:10). It’s easy in a world in which
your worth is based on what you’ve accomplished, how much you make, the awards
you’ve won or the possessions you’ve accrued to believe the lie that your value
comes from what you do rather than who you are as a child of God.
After having read
The Better Part by Thomas Keating a
while back, I’d spent some time contemplating the necessity of quiet time spent
in prayer as an essential ingredient to loving and serving others
generously. I can’t tell you how many times
I’ve focused so much on what I’m getting done that I neglect to spend time in
“the Living Room” as Joanna Weaver puts it—sitting at Christ’s feet listening
attentively.
Matthew Kelly
talks about the need for “carefree timelessness” in our relationships with
others, particularly our loved ones.
That same element is needed to develop and maintain an intimate
relationship with the Lord.
It can be awkward
and uncomfortable spending time alone, in silence with God when we’ve been away
for a while or haven’t ever cultivated a personal relationship with the Lord to
begin with. Listening and listening well
is quite possibly the most important aspect of intimacy, yet it’s hard to do it
well, on a consistent basis, and frequently enough that we remain connected on
a deeper level.
Author Joanna
Weaver gives a number of good suggestions and practical solutions for common
excuses for not making time for prayer and/or neglecting the service aspect of
living life as a Christian.
The Bible Study
included in the book is a great resource for groups as well as individuals
seeking to apply these ideas and principles to their own lives and see how they
have been and could be affecting their journey of faith as well as their
personal relationships.
The concept of balance between prayer and
service isn’t new, but it’s one I know I”ve often needed to be reminded of over
and over again.
Quiet prayer
takes discipline and practice, as does the service we’re led by God to carry
out (versus the things we do for recognition or reasons other than out of pure
selfless love for God and our neighbor).
I highly
recommend Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, especially to Christian
women striving for a healthy balance in the pursuit and living out of
holiness. For more information on this
book or to purchase your own copy, click here.
