Doesn’t It Seem Unfair?

Reading: Haggai 1-2; Psalm 129; Luke 10

But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” (Luke 10:40 NLT) Jesus and his disciples often passed through the village of Bethany, just outside Jerusalem. When they did, Martha invited them into her home – the home she shared with her brother Lazarus and her sister Mary. As Martha worked hard to prepare a meal for this large group, her sister Mary sat in the living room with Jesus and the others and listened to his stories and his teaching. Finally, it got to be too much for Martha. She came into the room wiping her hands on her apron and in a voice that showed she was irritated with Mary specifically, with Jesus additionally, and with everyone else generally, said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here…?” This made me think about the many times and different ways I allow myself to get into the “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you…?” mode! “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that…”
• “I work so hard, and others get all the credit?”
• “They seem to get away with anything they do, and I am always misunderstood?”
• “They make twice as much money as I do, and yet I work just as hard?”
• “They get all the breaks, and I just struggle along from one day to the next?”
• “They never put on a pound, and I struggle with my weight all the time?” Friends, I think there are as many “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you…?” scenarios as there are circumstances in life. When we compare ourselves with others, our circumstances and situation with theirs, it’s never going to come out well! And the reality seems to be that, “No, it doesn’t seem unfair to him at all!” Prayer: Father, Please forgive me when I waste time and energy comparing myself with others, and my situation with theirs. I expect that I will continue to have my occasional “Doesn’t it seem unfair to you?” moments, but please be patient with me. I love you and I thank you for your blessings and for the opportunities you give me to serve you by serving others. Thank you for your love. Thank you for my life. Amen.