Feet and Footsteps

"Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God."  (Eph. 5:1-2)

Spurgeon's thoughts: "Meditation is a happy, holy, profitable engagement; and it will instruct us, strengthen us, comfort us, inspire our hearts, and make our souls steadfast. But we may not stop at meditation. We must go on to imitation of the character of God. We must let our spiritual life not only bud and blossom in devout thought, but let it bring forth fruit in holy action. We must not be satisfied with feeding the soul by meditation but rise up from the banquet and use the strength we have gained. Sitting at the feet of Jesus must be succeeded by following the footsteps of Jesus."

Candy's thoughts: This quote of Charles Spurgeon immediately brought to mind the Mary/Martha relationship that seems to always have women groaning as they try to assess which woman they are more similar to concerning their own overall way of life. Are we more like Mary who spends so much time at Jesus' feet listening and learning that her poor sister Martha is stressed at trying to get dinner on the table without any help from Mary? When Martha demands that Jesus do something about this situation, his answer always cuts to the heart of all the Marthas in the world:

But the Lord answered her, 

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 

but one thing is necessary. 

Mary has chosen the good portion, 

which will not be taken away from her.”  

(Luke 10: 41-42)

Sigh. Since I identify as a Martha, I always respond by muttering "OUCH" or something like that after reading this gentle rebuke by Jesus. I know that both personal devotions and service to others are necessary in our Christian lives, but I just love Spurgeon's wording: "Sitting at the feet of Jesus must be succeeded by following the footsteps of Jesus." What a beautiful visual analogy to remind us that we need to both learn from the Lord and also obey his precepts. Can we all agree on this? First be a Mary, then be a Martha. Listen at his feet, then follow in his footsteps.