What IS the goal? Can this new year be about surviving this life? No – because no one can do that. I have a disturbingly long list of people in my prayer journal who are sick. Do I think I can save them? No – not a one. But I know someone who can so I pray daily and name each one. I also have an expiration date. I want to be healthy to the end. Not many achieve that feat. In Matt 9:18-26, Jesus does two remarkable things in these few verses. He raises a dead girl to life and, en-route, pauses to heal a woman who moved through the crowd around Jesus, in her weakened state, with another good result. She was desperate after 12 years of illness. She showed great faith and that faith plus Jesus power restored her to health. Both were needed in this case. What is our goal each day? Let’s look at two more women – Mary and her sister Martha. I just had an hour-long visit with my sister in another state by phone. Sisters have secrets and know too much. These sisters also knew each other’s business. Martha was tired of serving. She sounds irritable and might feel overwhelmed. We know that Mary was noticing the truth Jesus was teaching and Jesus defends Mary’s choice. Martha seems to have the inferior goal in the moment. Her goal is short-term. Mary’s is longterm. I’m also a doer like Martha. I’m having guests this week and have been busy with the busyness. I hope the preparations allow me to enjoy the people. Maybe Martha did not get advance notice? Maybe we need to be ready in and out of season. Maybe one day at a time is a good motto for this year or maybe Jesus is coming soon and my goals are not so critical.
