Different People, Same God

It is amazing how God created every human being with a unique personality, perspective and eternal soul.  Soldiers who march together in step wearing matching uniforms have different strengths, weaknesses, preferences and desires:  there is nothing uniform about the individuality of people created in God's image.  The twins Jacob and Esau spent nine months in the womb of Rebekah together, yet when they emerged their appearance was completely different.  As they grew older their differences were more marked, for Esau was a cunning hunter who preferred living in the fields whilst Jacob was a plain man who preferred dwelling in a tent.  Esau was hairy, and Jacob was smooth skinned.  Their physical differences were small compared to their spiritual relationship with God, for Esau did not regard Him whilst Jacob was a man who had faith in God, wrestled with Him and was given a new name.

Martha and Mary of Bethany were sisters who had contrasting personalities.  Martha was active and energetic, and she was the one who invited Jesus into her home in Luke 10.  That was a very wise decision!  But as she bustled around and made preparations her sister, Mary, sat at the feet of Jesus and heard His word.  Martha was perturbed Mary did not pitch in to help her and was not "doing" anything, questioned if Jesus cared and even asked Him to tell her to help.  Instead of acquiescing to Martha's demand, Jesus revealed Martha was anxious and distracted by many things while Mary had chosen the needful and good part which would not be taken away from her.  I had not considered this had anything to do with personality until I recently read the John 11 passage when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

Martha and Mary had sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, was very sick.  When Jesus arrived in Bethany Lazarus had been dead and buried four days!  John 11:20 reads, "Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house."  Here the industry and energy of Martha shines, for "as soon as she heard" Jesus was coming went and met Him.  In contrast, Mary remained sitting in the house with those who with her mourned the death of her brother.  Perhaps sitting was in line with Mary's personality, even as Jacob preferred to sit in the shade of a tent.  After Martha conversed with Jesus John 11:28-29 says, "And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, "The Teacher has come and is calling for you." ²⁹ As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him."  The personal invitation from Jesus moved Mary to immediately respond to go to Jesus, even as Martha did without one.

Isn't it wonderful how Jesus accommodates our differences and provides opportunity and an invitation to seek Him?  Energetic Martha and sedentary Mary were both loved and valued by Jesus who ministered to them with grace, mercy and compassion.  The man of the field who loves to hunt and the one who prefers the shade and cooking stew of lentils both have the opportunity to know, fear God and live by faith in Him.  It does us little good to criticise Martha for being distracted by much serving any more than Mary continuing to sit when Jesus came to visit.  Are we without faults?  Do we always make good choices?  It is far better we follow their good examples of serving, sitting at the feet of Jesus to receive His word, seeking Jesus, inviting others to go to the Saviour and rising when He calls us in faith because He loves us.  Each of our personalities has positives and pitfalls, and God chooses to bless us with His presence anyway because He is good.