Martha's Choice

Christ does not dislike domestic business and hospitality; but by this Christ shows his pity on Martha's troublesome cares and distractions, which might have been passed over with far less burden to her. Jesus took occasion to heal her error in judgment. She thought Christ came to feast when he had come to feast them.
We must watch over our intentions, even in lawful things. For good intentions do not always justify actions. Peter had good intentions when he tried to persuade Christ not to go to Jerusalem, yet he received no better thanks than 'Get behind me, Satan' (Matt. 16:23). Let us look at all our actions. It is not enough that they be done lawfully, they must be done in a way that is consistent with the word of God.
From this we learn that we often bring upon ourselves more trouble than God places on us. Those that have lived for any length of time realize this is so. In truth, without God's Spirit, we are self-tormentors. Our error in this is doubled; for either we put burdens on ourselves that are too great, or once they are on us, we make them heavier by our careless and faithless straining under them. Let us also not be over-troubled at troubles. Many poor souls are much troubled this way. If they find but a little dullness of spirit, they conclude they have no grace and that they are not one of God's children. Do not censure or vex yourself or others in this way. The children of God are not always alike, nor always in tune. We must take notice of these things and take heed of troubling ourselves and others with the things and burdens of this life. For it divides and weakens the soul; like the dividing of a river weakens the force of the stream. And the soul, when intent upon one thing, though it be strong, yet being turned to many things, will be much weakened. Therefore, we should meddle only with things that concern us, and only so far as is fitting.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Mary's Choice, Works, vol. 7, pp. 290-92
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