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- Photo Credit: Francois Schnell: Creative Commons
This post is written by contributing writer, Brenda from Triple Braided.
Right when I think I have silenced the Martha within me, she comes back shaming me into something else that I must be doing. Her words always sound so official as she quotes statistics and tells real-life stories of what just might happen if I don’t listen to her. This time, she’s whispering to me about the movement to “go green.” Everywhere I turn she is there – quoting and reminding and shaming.
Maybe I’m running the water too long.
Should I really take a bath tonight after taking a shower this morning?
Oh, I used a whole paper towel to dry my hands.
I forgot my reusable grocery bags – again!
Why did I get disposable eating utensils with my carry out?
Maybe I should try cloth diapers, too.
How do you make reusable cloths to mop with again?
The hormones in that chicken are going to make us sick.
Where do I take the old magazines?
I turn on the computer, open up Google Reader, and there sit hundreds of blog posts written by Martha giving me ideas to add to my list.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Martha. My dream is to be Martha. Martha points my mind to see the world the way it is supposed to be – tidy, efficient, wholesome, and serving. Looking not only to one’s self for gratification and met needs, but also looking to others and the world as a whole to meet their needs. Martha helps me be a better steward. Martha helps me be more disciplined. Martha points me to a place outside of myself.
And I know that Jesus loves Martha just as much as He loves Mary.
But even Martha was not able to resist the enemy’s scheme to divert her attention away from her Supplier – the One who gave her all that she needed to serve. Martha fell into the same trap that Eve fell into years earlier in that garden. The trap of listening to the enemy’s words – God is not enough, You must do more, You must take control. She began to see her identity through herself instead of through the eyes of Jesus.
I can assume that feelings of shame, guilt, and fear began to drive Martha, instead of service out of love for her Savior, because those are the feelings that drive me.
Right now they are driving me to try to join the movement to live a “greener” lifestyle. But instead of feeling at rest, I feel inadequate and resentful.
Living a greener lifestyle is a part of God’s plan for us. We are called to be good stewards of our earth, our resources, and our bodies. The more knowledge we gain about living a more healthful lifestyle, the more we should strive to incorporate into our lives.
But at the same time, we also must remember the words of Jesus.
“‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41-42
I am Martha – upset and worried about many things. Behind the mask of my perfectionism I have to do all of it – every facet of living a green lifestyle – or else there still remains a gap. Instead of relying on “the one thing that is needed” – Jesus – I work and strive under my human parameters. Then I am left with shame, guilt, and fear – none of which are from God.
Above all else, God is in control of all things of this earth and on this earth. As we become more knowledgeable and better stewards of what He has given us, we must also remember that we are not in control. We want to be better stewards out of gratitude to a God who gave us such a beautiful place to call home for the time being, not in an effort to try to save ourselves or our world. That we cannot do, and it is not our responsibility to try.
Have you joined the “green movement”? Has it left you feeling peaceful or full of inadequacy? We would love to hear from you in the comments!
This post is linked to The Better Mom, Making Your Home Sing, Welcome Home, Soli Deo Gloria, Time Warp Wife, Women Living Well, Healthy 2Day, Delightfully Inspiring, Encourage One Another, and Natural Living.
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About Brenda
Thank you for this encouragement, Brenda! I often feel like I’m not doing enough when it comes the health of my family. I have actually stopped reading “real food” blogs for a time to avoid feeling guilty for what we are eating! lol
Jenni, I completely understand. I really, really want to do it all, but there’s only so much time, money, and resources available.
Then I find myself getting scared about what we’re eating, etc., which isn’t good!
I went vegan over half a year ago. It was a personal choice, mainly for health reasons at first, but then it became more of a conscious effort not taking part in making animals suffer and have our environment exploited by factory farming etc. I know it is biblically ok to eat meat, I just don’t care enough for it to actually buy ”good” meat (and by now it would be really weird to me to eat animal products again). Same with milk and butter etc. That being said, there are times where I don’t exactly know if something I want to eat or drink has animal products in it, and I used to check everything I could out in advance or simply refuse to eat it (I’m referring to ‘could contain ‘traces of…” type of stuff), but at one point I was just so tired of it. I had become so controlling about this food choice, and I know I needed to let it go sometimes, because the way I nourish myself should not be the most important thing in my life. I am still eating vegan and being careful and considerate with the environment (by that I mean both my close and far environment), but I stopped obsessing about it.
I think you made an interesting point here- you kind of have to make small changes and get used to them, or else you’ll be so annoyed and stressed that you’ll abandon all your efforts. I mean doing something to show respect towards this amazing creation is better than nothing.
Helena, I completely agree. I just don’t want my motivation to be fear. Starting with a few things is good, and then like we were discussing above, being convicted by the Holy Spirit in new areas. Good for you for going vegan. I am not vegan, but I am fortunate that I don’t love meat, so it’s not something I just have to have.
Thank you for this Brenda! You have such a gift of writing
. What an encouragement this post was today! Thank you!
Jami, that is such a sweet compliment! Thank you so much!
We live in Oregon…a VERY green state
I try to keep a balanced perspective, where I’m “green” for the right reasons (stewardship of bodies, resources, God’s creation, reaching the culture we’re surrounded by) but also to find freedom in knowing I have the Holy Spirit and I can trust Him to convict me where and when needed.
Feels like with almost every part of my walk, He’s been gracious to not overwhelm with all the things I-need-to-change at one time.
But–I try to keep an open heart an open mind.
I also try to not to get into arguments about it with others, because it isn’t a “hill I’m willing to die on” (if that makes any sense)???
We can easily pick-apart-each-other’s-lives in so many different directions and we will find fault because there are ALWAYS going to be ways that we could-should-might-need-to…spend money more wisely, be more green, change our eating, improve our kiddos’ education, clean our house better, be a better wife…
… my own vantage point…and I’m sure that’s how others can feel when they look into my world.
I just know that I’m extra good at seeing things from my perspective
All that to say–
Yes…in many ways we’ve adopted a green lifestyle, but I don’t fixate much on it because I trust Him to convict me along the way (as He has in the past) if we need to make changes.
Kara, this is GREAT advice! Yes, I have had to pray for God to convict me and not allow me to convict myself. We can pick apart ourselves and everyone else to the point where love and and the true motive is lost. Thank you!!
Your overall message is so fitting for trying to live a greener lifestyle, because it really can be overwhelming to take on. Thanks for the reminder to keep expectations and priorities in check.
Thank you, Erica!!
This is such a balanced perspective, I love it!
I always love hearing Brenda’s perspective!
It helps me to just remember I’m not perfect, nor am I even super woman. I can’t do it all, but I can do some and once those things are second nature I can take another baby step.
You’re right. “I can do some and once those things are second nature I can take another baby step” This is my outlook on most things, as well!
I love what you said here: “The trap of listening to the enemy’s words – God is not enough, You must do more, You must take control. She began to see her identity through herself instead of through the eyes of Jesus.”
How many times do we listen to the enemy and believe his lies and try and take over for God? As if God needs OUR help?
How many times do we try and find our identity in our homes, our children, our family, our “role” as a wife and mother or single businesswoman……and forget WHO made us?
Great post! Thanks so much for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday!
“How many times do we try and find our identity in our homes, our children, our family, our “role” as a wife and mother or single businesswoman……and forget WHO made us?”
I love how you responded with these questions. So true and thought provoking!
My name is Martha and I find myself being just like Martha In the Bible. I am a worry wart by nature. I just say to myself More Mary less Martha.
I like your mantra. More Mary less Martha.
Brenda this post is SPOT ON! Similar to issues with the Real Food movement (I am guilty of this) we so quickly allow it to become an idol simply because we let it fill our thoughts and actions, thus squeezing out our sweet Savior! Thank you for this necessary message!
I agree about the Real Food movement (I was also guilty to some degree). Anything that calls us to strive toward better stewardship can definitely become an idol very quickly. It’s the balance of legalism vs licentiousness that is so difficult as a Christian. But even this calls for us to live intentionally while fully relying on the grace of God! It’s easy to replace our actions with out sweet Savior, which never returns on investment.