"Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger"--all seems pretty cut and dry. With pride at the root of sin, one can understand why the Holy Spirit through James would write "be quick to hear," for pride values its way above others'; "be slow to speak," for pride values its own opinion above others'; and "be slow to anger," for pride values its own feelings before others'. We know very well that according to the scriptures, God is slow to anger and of great kindness (Numbers 14:18, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 103:8, among others), and we also know that I Corinthians 13, in its definition of love says that love "is slow to anger." Obviously, James gives us good and well-known advice where it comes to getting along with God and others. But the more I prayed and studied this thing through, the more God brought Mary and Martha to my mind.
10:38 Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet, and heard his word.
10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
10:41 But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things:
10:42 but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Martha was flustered, not for a bad reason or from a bad motive--she wanted to show hospitality to Jesus and his followers. Considering the guest of honor, I'm sure she was even more concerned than usual about her food and table setting and all that concerned the welfare of her guests. In her frustration she made a choice not to ask Mary about her decision to sit at Jesus' feet and listen, and to get angry and complain to Jesus about her sister's behavior. The response was not what she wanted to hear--"Martha, Martha, be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for I would love for you to sit and hear my word, also. The one who turned water to wine and who served the 5,000 is not stressed about the preparation of the meal."
When I have on my "hospitality cap," it is difficult for me not to stress about the condition of my home or the quality of my meals, especially being an Italian "Grammy;" I mean, food and hospitality is what we do. But God is working on me, too. More and more often, I find myself at the feet of Jesus first and foremost--before I cook, before I clean, before make my lesson plans for school or grade any papers. It means I don't seem to have as much time as usual, but I don't want to hear, "Beverly, Beverly, you are anxious and troubled about many things;" I want to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant," and the only way to accomplish that is to stay as close to Jesus as I can possibly get.
Lord Jesus, instill in my heart the desires of Mary, and free me from the spirit of Martha, in as much as it will serve Your plans for my life today and everyday. Amen
1:19-20 Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring forth the righteous life that God desires.
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