Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” Luke 10:40 (NIV)
I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things. Isa. 45:7 (ESV)
The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. Prov. 16:4 (ESV)
Dear Lord Jesus, Martha’s question, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?” seems quite comical, at one level. I find myself wanting to say to her, “Duh… if Jesus doesn’t care, who does?” Or, “Martha, get over your whining and finish the falafel.”
But there are other scenarios—far more confusing and frustrating than Martha’s kitchen, that lead us to ask the question, “Lord don’t you care?” Grant us grace, Lord, to steward our confusion—even our consternation, when that happens.
Jesus when we’d prefer your predictability to your sovereignty, grant us big grace and trusting hearts. Help us to accept the fact that you “make well-being and create calamity”—that you have made “everything for its purpose,” even “the wicked for the day of trouble.”
It’s easy to accept disruptive sovereignty, as long as it doesn’t encroach upon our space, our stories, or our families. But sometimes affirming that your thoughts and ways are really different from ours (Isa. 55:8) isn’t very fun, Jesus, or in keeping with how we’d like you to be and act.
Thank you that you never bark at us (like I would), with irritation and an edge, and say, “Buck up and get over it.” No, you will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally, you will cause justice to be victorious (Matt. 12:20). The weary find rest in you, even when we don’t get every question answered before the Day of all things new (Matt. 11:28-30: Rev. 21:5). Thank you Jesus, very much. So very Amen we pray, in your kind and powerful name.
