Passion Provoking Action . . .

"As soon as she heard that,
she arose quickly and came to Him." John 11:29

     She was misunderstood many times, but beloved by readers of the Bible. Who is she? Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha. She sat at Jesus' feet, she anointed His feet with what cost her the most, and wiped His feet with her own hair. She trusted Him in the midst of trial, she loved Him passionately. Her passion provoked her actions. This Mary, in John chapter 11, is found in the midst of sorrow, her brother had died. Martha goes out to met Jesus, but we read that Mary remained in the house. I think of when times get tough how the "house" seems the safe place to be, away from the outside world. We commonly tend to isolate ourselves or remain in the comforts of our "houses" when we face hard times. She was weeping over her loss. She was struggling. She would of stayed in that place all day, be it not for her sister telling her that the Teacher, Jesus was calling for her. With that word we read, "As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him" (John 11:29). Hearing His request for her, she immediately got up, left her comforts and came to Him. This act, beautiful, the picture of a lover responding to the call of her Beloved, beautiful to the reader, but in the midst of the story, this act was misunderstood. Supposing that she was going to weep, she was followed by the mourners. The next scene finds her at Jesus' feet weeping. Her ears had heard the call and were running to obey her Master, but the others assumed she was going to weep. 

Have you ever been misunderstood as you are quickening your heart and self to respond to the Lord's call? Perhaps He has asked you to leave your home or your comforts and go do something, you hear, you go, but others are as the characters in this story, misunderstanding, assuming, accusing. She was accused of going to weep, but really she was going to worship. She was going to fall at the feet of the God she loved. 

Are you in this place at this time in life? Are surrounding characters misunderstanding? Remember that the character's misunderstood, but to the eyes of the reader of this story, this act is beautiful. It is the act of genuine surrender, of unashamed love, of immediate obedience. What view do you choose?

Your God sees things from all points, He knows what is being said, He knows the truth, He sees the heart.

Rest in that, and cease not to hasten your obedience when you hear the approach and the call of your Teacher calling for you. May the character of Mary be seen in you, and all other characters will fade.