JOANNA WEAVER – ANOINTED TO SERVE

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World
Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life

by Joanna Weaver
WaterBrook & Multnomah

Pub Date: 18 Jul 2000. ISBN 9781578562589. PRICE $14.99

REVIEW

All who love Jesus long to experience intimacy with and service for Him. Like Mary, we yearn to sit at the Lord’s feet. Jesus tenderly invites us to choose “the better part” – a joyful life of intimacy with the Lover of our souls. that presses us into service for Him. Joanna Weaver shows us how to draw closer to our Lord, in ever-deepening devotion, strengthening our service with even greater joy. In music to our souls, with a heart that sings and a voice that rings out loud and clear, Joanna invites us to daily communion with Christ. With candor, humor, and passion, Joanna Weaver invites us to cultivate a ‘Mary heart’ that delights in top-priority time with God. The real-life story of the two sisters of Bethany is the story of our lives too. When Jesus and his disciples visited Bethany, Martha opened her home to him. Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening intently to Him, with eyes for Him alone. It is intriguing to have a Mary Heart in a Martha World. Welling up in our hearts is a passionate hunger, an unquenchable thirst, a fervent calling to love God the Father, to know Jesus Christ His Son, and the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit, in a deep heart-to-heart intimacy.

Martha was distracted by all the preparations. She asked Jesus, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” – (Luke 10:38–42). Martha is the Queen of the Kitchen, preparing a banquet fit for the Messiah. She is a party planner extraordinaire, a paragon of efficiency, “Where’s Mary? Has anyone seen Mary? Angry and frustrated, Martha finally found Mary, sitting at the Master’s feet. She had eyes only for Jesus. Martha interrupts Jesus, confident that He will take her side. Mary should help her to prepare the meal. Jesus gently rebukes her, telling her Mary has chosen “the better part,” which will not be taken away from her.

Mary and Martha are mentioned only three times in the Bible: Luke 10:38–42, John 11:1–44, and John 12:1–11. Mary took time to taste the love of Jesus. Faced with the same choice of work or worship, Mary chose “the better part,” available to both Mary and Martha, and to us too, regardless of our gifts, talents and personalities. It’s a free, voluntary choice. We can either take it or leave it. The choice is exclusively ours. Mary sees the joy and winsomeness in Jesus and is instantly drawn to Him. Jesus, the Son of God, drew Mary out into his circle of friends. He speaks with a voice like the sound of many waters. His magnetic words contain new life. Mary creeps closer, listening intently to Jesus. She is unable to move – except closer to Jesus. His words draw her into His heart. Despite her natural reticence, she kneels at his feet. His teaching reveals truth to her hungry heart. Mary allows Martha to serve while she listens to Jesus. She presses closer and closer to Jesus. Martha’s call is drowned by the call of her Master, the call to come, to listen and to be blessed.

Let us follow Mary to the feet of Jesus. He bids us to come. He can give us a Mary heart in a Martha world. Faith and trust comes only at Jesus’ feet. undergo a transformation right before our eyes: a holy makeover. The two sisters of Bethany are transformed. Martha becomes meek and Mary becomes courageous. God calls us to intimacy through Jesus Christ. At first, Martha opened her home but not her heart. She almost missed getting to know Jesus. Mary went all out for Jesus. God’s kingdom is a paradox. He desires companionship. “Be still and know that I am God.” He looks for people to pour his life into. We must draw closer to the Father’s heart. As we spend time with God, He gives us grace to lift the heaviest burdens. The “only one thing needed – the better part” is found at his feet. The gift of availability is what God cherishes most. Mary’s gift was availability. She sat at His feet. She was available for Him. A deeper friendship only requires a heart open and ready to receive. We must be lavish in our love, to be filled with His love, that flows out into service. Love starts at His feet.

Miriam Jacob