“One thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).
IN QUIETNESS AND CONFIDENCE
Mary had chosen to sit at the master’s feet—the best place to be—Her sister Martha was mithered and frustrated that Mary wasn’t helping with so many guests.
Jesus endorsed Mary’s decision, to sit still and listen to what Jesus had to say. Martha herself had lessons to learn of course, and serving with a good heart was one of them. But Mary chose the “good part” and sat in silence learning necessary truths from Jesus.
We don’t read that Mary herself got involved in the exchange of words, she simply sat still and let the Lord speak. And Jesus spoke of Mary’s decision to sit in quietness—a good choice; even though she was under pressure to leave her place of learning and help with the household chores.
We also find ourselves in the middle of the hustle and bustle of life, yet there is a place of quiet rest near to the heart of God.
We may even find ourselves in a serious storm, but “we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” (Ps 46:2). In the storm he comes to us walking on the water. He soars on the wings of the wind to bid us “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10).
There is a time, as Mary found, when the Lord will do the talking for us, while we stay in the quietness of his strength: “in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength” (Isa 30:15).
All who adopt this trust find their “vindication from God their Savior” (Ps 24:5).
For there is a time to speak and a time to be silent as God’s Word teaches us. We do not have to defend ourselves if the Lord is in our corner. We trust in him to look after our interests, our job is to sit at his feet in quietness and contemplation, which he equips us for all that will be needed when we venture out on the King’s business.
As wise as serpents yet as harmless as doves. And even in our daily lives we find that the enemy will attempt to draw us into fruitless fracas, dubious debates and doubtful dispositions, but let’s remember that “the prudent keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil” (Amos 5:13).
Some people revel in an argumentative nature, but Paul informs us: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them” (Rom 16:17).
Of course, that’s not always possible, so when we are in a position where evil is going on around us, we pray that the Lord will enable our inner self to have the, “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Pet 3:4).