--Willing Work
--Luke 10:38-42; John 11:23-27

"And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17)

It sometimes happens--we invite guests we dearly love. Then, attempting to make their stay perfect, we become exhausted and begin to feel sorry for ourselves, even complaining in these times.

Martha is known for whining to Jesus about her sister Mary not helping her. It must have taken an enormous amount of work to make sure there were baths, washed clothing, bedding and food for that group of road-weary, hungry itinerant men. To Martha's credit, her heart was in the right place. When Jesus asked her, "Do you believe?" she responded, "Yes...I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God..."

My guess is that Martha enjoyed serving. She could have sat listening to Jesus and let her servants do the chores, but the Bible says at another dinner, "Martha served..." That meal wasn't even in her home! What Martha needed to learn, however, was to use her gift of hospitality with a thankful heart out of her love for Jesus.

Do our words and actions reflect the name of Jesus? Are we giving thanks to Him? Do others see Christ in us, the hope of glory?
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"May I do each day's work for Jesus, with eternity's values in view." (Alfred B. SMith)

--Haven Today