In the 10th chapter of Luke, there is a story about two sisters, Mary and Martha, who lived in the village of Bethany with their brother Lazarus. In the account Jesus and some of his disciples stopped by their home for a visit. A passage in the 11th chapter of John indicates that they were good friends of Jesus, so perhaps he visited them frequently. During this visit Martha rushed around making preparations to serve her guests while Mary simply sat down to hear what Jesus had to say. When she complained to Jesus that Mary left her to do all of the work Jesus said, “Martha, Martha you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better” (Luke 10:41).
Through the years psychologists have studied personality types and there are many theories on the subject. This story is an interesting study in personality differences. Martha could be classified as a Type A personality; achievement-oriented and sometimes impatient. Mary could be classified as a Type B; more easy-going and relaxed.
Is one type better than the other? Who’s to say? If you took a poll the answers would be all over the board – depending on which type your were talking to. Type A’s would probably contend that without their organizational expertise and managerial abilities, nothing of substance would ever be accomplished. Type B’s would contend that without their ability to be “in the moment”, to stop and smell the roses, the world would be devoid of art and creativity. Type A’s would pat themselves on the back for designing and manufacturing the spacecraft that are launched into outer space. Type B’s would have a full appreciation for the miracle of creation that crafted out space. Both are needed to provide balance to our world. The fact is, most of us are a combination of the two personality types but some people tilt more heavily to one type or the other. I will admit that on a scale from A to B, I am very much an A.
So if Jesus were going to drop my house for dinner, I would be all the way “Martha.” As a self-proclaimed perfectionist, I would have been a wreck! Trying to make sure that the house was immaculate, decide on the perfect menu, polishing the silver, pulling out the good china…. well you get the idea. It would take days of preparation. However, since there were not telephones, Jesus couldn’t call ahead to say he was coming. From New Testament accounts, it appears that he lived a pretty “free-wheeling” lifestyle. So it’s possible that he and his disciples just dropped in. Talk about stress!!!
We Type A’s have the ability to stress ourselves and everyone around us. So many “what if’s” to consider:
What if I don’t cook enough food?
What if I forgot to clean under the couch and Jesus sees dust bunnies?
What if I have a bad hair day?
What kind of wine should I serve? If I run out, should I ask Jesus to make some more, like he did at the wedding in Cana?
What about entertainment? How do you make small talk with the Son of God?
What if some of the gossipy neighbors stop Jesus outside and start grilling him about the virgin birth?
Oh yes, Type A’s can really spin. And although I’m not proud of it, I could even see myself making a sarcastic remark about Mary who had left me to do “all of the work.” In the account Jesus told her, “Martha, Martha you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed…” I like to think of Jesus as speaking contemporary English, so I think he would have said something like, “Girl, sit down and chill out. You’re trying to do WAY too much….”
Whichever personality type you are, it’s important to appreciate it, since God specifically designed you that way. It’s also important to allow others to be who they are, since God specifically designed them that way. Too often we put pressure on others to act like us, dress like us, think like us, even worship like us.
Honey, you’ve just gotta “do you.” But just out of curiosity, what would you do if Jesus were coming to your house?
