Mary's and Martha's (Michael's and Mitchell's)

My two posts below have been haunting me. I know we shouldn't be worried about this election that God is Sovereign and he indeed does know the outcome. He knew before time began. But there is a time for sitting back and trusting in that and a time for action. Be it in the form of a political activist (and God needs an army to stand strong in the political arena, thank you HSLDA!) or getting on our knees weeping and waling before our God in earnest soul sucking petitions of prayer. But prayer is not begging God to see it our way or to grant our every wish. Prayer is to go before our God and King in deep petition on man's behalf.
Like Abraham, pleading with the Lord "Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?" Gen 18:24
1 John 5:14-15 says "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."
I read at the top of my YWAM prayer journal a little quote several years ago, though I have long forgotten the author (I think it was Spurgeon), "It is NOT work to pray, prayer IS the work!". Amen!

Below is a little devotional I get from another of my favorite authors, Max Lucado. Oh how we need Mary's, but notice at the bottom where he reminds us that God called even Mary to leave His feet and "do" the work He has asked.

Mary
by Max Lucado
Marys are gifted with praise. They don't just sing; they worship. They don't simply attend church; they go to offer praise. They don't just talk about Christ; they radiate Christ.
Marys have one foot in heaven and the other on a cloud. It's not easy for them to come to earth, but sometimes they need to. Sometimes they need to be reminded that there are bills to be paid and classes to be taught. But don't remind them too harshly. Flutes are fragile. Marys are precious souls with tender hearts. If they have found a place at the foot of Jesus, don't ask them to leave. Much better to ask them to pray for you.
That's what I do. When I find a Mary (or a Michael), I'm quick to ask, "How do I get on your prayer list?"
Every church desperately needs some Marys.

We need them to pray for our children.

We need them to put passion in our worship.

We need them to write songs of praise and sing songs of glory.

We need them to kneel and weep and lift their hands and pray.
We need them because we tend to forget how much God loves worship. Marys don't forget. They know that God wants to be known as a father. They know that a father likes nothing more than to have his children sit as his feet and spend time with him.
Marys are good at that.
They, too, must be careful. They must meditate often on Luke 6:46. "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' but do not do what I say?" Marys need to remember that service is also worship.
If God has called you to be a Mary, then worship! Remind the rest of us that we don't have to be busy to be holy. Urge us with your example to put down our clipboards and megaphones and be quiet in worship.

From
Cast of Characters
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008) Max Lucado
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