Gtpministries.org – Awards have become a kind of incentive for a person or group of people to achieve achievements and do good. On the one hand, getting awards is a driving force to achieve or do good. But on the other hand, winning awards has become a goal in a work or good deed.
For example: discipline, cleanliness, honesty, order, which are actually attitudes in life that should be followed, have shifted simply to achieve awards. For this reason, it is not surprising that a city that previously received the “Adipura Kencana” award, as the cleanest city, currently has a problem with what is called “trash”. There are regional officials who are known for being honest and disciplined, so they receive awards, instead of being caught in the KPK’s sting operation.
But is it true that appreciation has replaced the call and attitude of life to do good?
The story of Mary and Martha, in the Gospel of Luke 10:38-42, is often understood as a story that tells of Mary’s superiority over Martha, because of Mary’s loyalty and willingness to sit at Jesus’ feet and continue to listen to Jesus’ words. Meanwhile, Martha was so busy serving that she didn’t listen to Jesus’ words.
However, if you look closely at this story, Jesus accepts and appreciates the form of welcoming His presence in Martha and Mary’s house. Jesus did not mind Martha who was busy in the kitchen or Mary who sat listening to His words.
The problem actually occurred, when Martha approached Jesus and said: “Lord, don’t you care that my brother left me to serve alone?” It is strange that Martha’s attitude, she who chose to welcome Jesus by busying herself in the kitchen, now complains about her good deeds on the grounds that no one cares. After all, it wasn’t difficult if Martha directly asked Mary to help her, why did she have to go through Jesus?
Actually, there was something behind Martha’s request to Jesus, namely: the desire or hope to be praised, to be given credit by Jesus for what Martha had done. If Jesus confirmed this, how proud would Martha be, because Jesus confirmed her good deeds, so it would be clear that “being busy serving” was more important than “sitting and listening to Jesus’ words”.
But Jesus did not comply with Martha’s request, Jesus instead rebuked Martha, Jesus even showed her “the best part” (v. 42), which should accompany every good deed done, namely “humility”. Humility for what? To forget that you have done good, so that you are free from efforts to get awards. If then for our achievements and good deeds we receive awards, then that is an additional blessing.
Forgetting that we have done good may be very difficult, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to do. Just keep achieving, keep doing good. Because, that is why we are called to be a blessing in the place where we were sent.
