We all wear many hats.
At least, that’s what daily life tells us, right? And all we do is spend that daily life, one day to the next, switching from one hat to the next.
When we’re young we wear the hats of the young: child, sibling, student. Then we grow up and wear adult-size hats. One hat when we’re the parent or caregiver. Another hat when we’re the worker or coworker. One hat for the chief home repairman and fixer-upper. Another hat for the homework helper. One hat for the encourager. Another for the disciplinarian. One hat when we’re young. Another hat when we’re old. And another when we’re really, really old.
And isn’t it funny how we often feel conflicted, torn, unable, it seems, to wear one hat for more than just a little while before it’s time to put on the next? It’s a rare gift when we see with clarity exactly what we’re to do and who we’re to be at any given moment. Maybe that’s why Jesus took a few minutes to do that for one of His followers.
Martha had invited Jesus and His disciples into her home for dinner. Cool thing to do, right? But turns out it’s going to be a big meal with lots of mouths to feed. Martha is feeling a bit overwhelmed, so she looks to her sister, Mary, for help. But Mary is in the other room, hanging out with Jesus’ disciples and listening to Him teach. Martha is ticked. She marches in to complain and asks Jesus to send Mary to help her.
But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken from her.” (from Luke 10:41-42, NLT version, emphasis mine)
Of all the hats Mary could be wearing at the time -- friend, follower, sister, helper, cook, bottle washer -- there was only ONE she truly needed to wear: DISCIPLE OF JESUS.
One hat.
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