I strive to find balance and harmony in my day.

At the end of last year, one of our Advent readings focused on the story of Martha and Mary. (Luke 10:38-42) Martha was described as representing hope, and Mary representing faith.
 
For me there is a deeper message, a message about balance. In metaphysical Biblical interpretation as taught by Unity, each character in the Bible represents an aspect of ourselves. So, at times we will act out of our Martha consciousness; at other times, our Mary consciousness.
 
As Martha, we place our focus on the outer world of doing – fixing things and making sure we have fulfilled our material duties. As Mary, we place our focus on being receptive to our inner Christ, “sitting in the Christ Presence that is our true identity” (Rev. Ed Townley)
 
We “are”, of course, both Martha and Mary. In Luke’s gospel, it says:
Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.” (Luke 10:38-39) This indicates to me that both aspects of consciousness were present with Jesus – but Martha gets distracted by the “doing” and Mary is content with the “being”. Can you see yourself in the scene – spending more time worried about what is going on without, taking away from the time spent within? I know I can!
 
Is it possible to be able to do both at the same time? Unity Minister Rev. Ed Rabel says it is what we need to do. “I can be concerned about what is going on in the world, and yet very relaxed about God being in charge – simultaneously.”
 
As my Martha gets stuck into tackling my to-do list, my Mary listens to the divine guidance within me, keeping my balance, and knowing that all is well.
 
“Let all things be done decently and in order.” – 1 Corinthians 14:40
 
Nancy Sandoval
Unity Teacher
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