One Size Fits All...

July 21, 2022

This past Sunday we explored the story of the sisters Mary and Martha, found in Luke 10:38-42. Both sisters were intent on welcoming Jesus and the good news of God’s kingdom into their home, Martha by working and Mary by sitting and listening to Jesus teach. Martha was quite perturbed that her sister had left her to do the work while she took up the conversational position. Those of us who have sisters or multiple children know what this sibling annoyance can feel like. I have eight siblings. I know well what it is like to feel like you got the short end of the stick by having to do the work while someone else plays. Since I am the oldest daughter, I regularly felt like that!

Mary and Martha were both doing the important work of radical hospitality, Jesus never denied that - even though he told Martha that Mary had chosen the “better part.” Think of it like deciding between chocolate cake with raspberry sauce and my momma’s homemade pumpkin pie - both are delicious, although perhaps on Thanksgiving the pie is the “better part.” 

I invited us this Sunday to join in the important work of Mary before rushing into the important work of Martha. We are sorting out what it means to be PMBC together after some truly seismic community and global shifts that have left us all a bit bewildered. I’ve had folks ask me what I’m going to do to grow the membership, how I’m going to bring back missing people, and how I’m going to increase giving. It is all too tempting to me to start reading all the books and making all the lists and plans without also doing the “better part” of listening to where Jesus is leading us. Martha thought Mary’s work was less important than her own important work - which might make her not all that different from us.

I invite you to join me in opening yourselves to the voice of the Holy Spirit as we move into this time of discerning what it means to be church together. Spend some regular time reading Scripture, praying, alone and together. Not one size fits all on this - no more than one size (of waders) fit all (baptizing pastors). I found these waders this week while taking inventory of our baptismal in the hope that we will soon be able to celebrate baptisms again together. As you can see, they don’t fit very well! I imagine I’d make quite the scene trying to get in and out of the baptismal in these. I am going to have to sort out what works for me for baptism wear!

It may not work for you to read Scripture every morning, or it may be your favorite part of the day. You may not want to read the Gospels, but you may find yourself enamored with the Psalms. You may like lengthy, meditative prayer sessions, or you might say small prayers throughout the day. One size doesn’t fit all, for sure, but Jesus still calls us to the “better part” of opening ourselves to the good news that the Kingdom of God is coming - and that we get to share in its proclamation! 

Blessings,

Rev. Dr. Amy L. Chilton