Comfort Zone

Comfort Zone: The level at which one functions with ease and familiarity-Merriam/Webster Dictionary

Last week we discussed how Marys often use their desire to sit and learn at Jesus’ feet as an excuse to not get as involved as we should with serving. The delicate scales of Mary’s worship and Martha’s service tend, too often, to not balance. Marthas often use the excuse that there is so much that needs to be done. What excuse do Marys use?

Mine is “I’m not creative enough to do Martha stuff.” Therefore, I end up doing nothing at all. Let’s go back to one of the first installments of the Mary/Martha Saga. We discussed Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord, and not unto man”.  My excuse basically means, if it doesn’t impress, it’s not worthy of doing. Goodness, what an unscriptural thought is that!

Before we can rely on our excuses as good motives for our actions, we must first consider the motive behind our excuses. NOT SERVING for the wrong reason is just as bad as SERVING for the wrong reason.

It is not so much changing our works that makes the difference, but changing the motives behind our works.

Serving others is not a matter of impressing others. It is meeting the needs of others in a loving, godly manner. It is an act of love and compassion that reaches others for the cause of Christ.  It is showing compassion, not showing talent.

The Good Samaritan showed compassion in Luke 10. Remember, I often refer to this parable because Jesus had just shared it with the disciples before arriving at Martha’s home. Verses 33-34 say: “…he had compassion on him. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds….and took care of him.” He saw a need and went beyond the call of duty to care for him.

Jesus showed compassion in John 4 when He went out of His way to go through Samaria and minister to the woman at the well.

In Matthew 14:14 Jesus had compassion on the crowd on the same day he found out that his cousin John had been beheaded. I really don’t think Jesus FELT like ministering then, but He did.

According to Mounce (Complete Expository Dictionary...), the usage of the word compassion in these passages refers to a feeling of affection and tenderness. It involves a deep heart-felt emotion that can “affect us in the pit of our stomachs”. It carries the idea of being moved in the inner parts of one’s being.

Other passages where Jesus shows this kind of deep compassion include: Matthew 9:36, Mark 8:2, Mark 9:22 and Luke 7:13.

When we see a need, are we stirred with enough heart-felt compassion to reach out and encourage or help? Doing so requires we leave our comfort zone. It requires that we go beyond the call of duty, as the Good Samaritan did. It requires that we go out of our way, whether we feel like it or not, as Jesus did.

 Marys-we have a loving heart for our Savior. We must also develop a loving heart for others.

You may be asking, “But, how?” Like I said, I lack creativity, so what can I do? I read one little paragraph in Joanna Weaver’s “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” that made it all make sense to me. It is really such an easy concept, I find myself doing it regularly.  I bopped myself on the forehead and immediately wrote in the margin, “Have the heart of a grandma.” Let’s take a look.

Joanna quotes author Linda Anderson from Love Adds a Little Chocolate.

“Duty can pack an adequate sack lunch, but love may decide to enclose a little love note inside…Obligation sends the children to bed on time, but love tucks the covers in around their necks and passes out hugs and kisses…Obligation can pour a glass of milk, but quite often, love adds a little chocolate.”

The grandkids know at grandmas they get chocolate milk. Jim and Sharon didn’t get chocolate milk all the time, but the grandkids do! That last sentence from Linda Anderson struck me like the heartburn commercial where various food items slap the person back and forth across the face! It’s just something special I do for them. Who says I’m not creative?!  You see, service just takes a little going out of the way, a little going beyond the call of duty, a little something special. It doesn’t take a giant leap to step out of that comfort zone. It just takes little steps of love and compassion.

Here are a few simple examples of small acts of compassion that can help us as Marys gently step into the realm of service. Some are my ideas, some are from other sources. Feel free to add others.

                Secret Opportunities: Appoint yourself as someone’s secret sister. Send a card. Send a box of candy-or even a candy bar. (Did you notice I did not suggest MAKE a card, or PUT TOGETHER A FANCY BOX OF CANDY?) It doesn’t have to be fancy, ladies!  Secret steps of service are a good start for intimidated Marys. As you begin to feel more comfortable, find your own ‘personal comfortee’ and slowly get involved in someone’s life in an outward manner. (See 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

                Volunteer for a trusted Christian organization. Get involved with group service so you don’t feel like it is all up to you.

                Volunteer as a helper in your church children’s ministry. Once again, this will allow you to blend in and not be in the forefront.

                Be aware of your surroundings. Look for small needs that can be met behind the scenes. Church dinner over?  Clean up beginning? I always grab the salt/pepper boxes and quietly begin to pick up the S/P shakers from the tables. Let Marthas do the set-up. We can take care of clean up.

                Consider needs that may be brought to mind during your Be Still time. As you allow Him, God will direct your attentions.

I leave you with this quote from Joanna Weaver.

“A true passion for God will naturally result in compassion for people.”

Mary, this is for you! 

Have the heart of a grandma!

Debbie