Prayer for Our Motives

Mission isn’t a task list, but an overflow of being with Jesus.

In Luke 10 we see two sisters responding differently to Jesus' presence in their home. “...Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” (Luke 10:39-40, NIV)

Martha busied herself with tasks, most of which probably needed to get done at some point, but she missed the opportunity to simply be with Jesus. Mary, on the other hand, chose to sit at Jesus’ feet, to be present, attentive, and formed by His love.

Pete Scazzero comments on this passage, "I suspect that if Martha were to sit at the feet of Jesus, she would still be distracted by everything on her mind. Her inner person is touchy, irritable, and anxious... I suspect that if Mary were to help with the many household chores, she would not be worried or upset. Why? Her inner person has slowed down enough to focus on Jesus and to center her life on him."

This insight has profound implications for our evangelism. If we approach sharing our faith as merely a series of tasks to complete perfectly - saying exactly the right words, answering every question flawlessly, creating the perfect environment - we risk doing the work of mission without the heart of Jesus.

But if our witness flows from a life centered on Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can share Him authentically even when things don't go according to plan. “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1, NIV). Paul wrote that in spite of facing great persecution from some of those he was seeking to reach.

It's not enough to only have a great vision of God's Kingdom to drive us forward. We must also operate from the values of that Kingdom, so that we reflect the posture of Jesus. In Luke 19 we see Jesus weep with compassion and tenderness over the people of Jerusalem.

Our evangelism should be characterized by the fruit of the Spirit that Paul gives examples of in Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) - “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”. In another place he wrote that “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4, NIV).

These qualities can only flow from a life deeply connected to Jesus.

Your Next Steps

1. Do you tend to be more like Martha or Mary in your approach to sharing your faith?
2. What anxieties or distractions might be keeping you from representing Jesus well to others?
3. Does your heart break for the people of your city/ place of mission? If not, ask Jesus to soften your heart for the lost.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I've been more concerned with doing evangelism perfectly than with representing You graciously. Help me to slow down and recenter my life on You, so that when I interact with others they see Your peace and love, rather than my anxiety. Transform my heart so that I might operate from Kingdom values as I pursue Kingdom vision. May my witness to [name your three people] flow from an authentic relationship with You. Amen.