I had a dream last night. I was outside of the dream, looking at the action.
An angel came to the pearly gates. He presented his messenger to the messenger at the gates.
The angel told the messenger, "We need a Martin Luther for the current crisis."
The messenger at the gate went to relay the message. He went through the gate. He started yelling, "We need Martha. We need Martha."
The angel went to correct the messenger, "No. No. I said we need Martin Luther. Not Martha. We need Martin Luther."
The messenger apologized for the mistake and went further down the golden path. He began shouting again, "We need Martha. We need Martha."
The angel had to correct the second messenger again, "No, we don't need Martha. We need Martin Luther!"
I believe there are multiple interpretations to this dream, but I will only share one.
Like Martin Luther, I have a growing desire for reform. Issues of social justice are burning on my heart more than ever. However, with this desire for justice, I don't have the confidence or the tenacity of Luther. I don't have his perseverance, his scholarship, or his fortitude.
My persona is more like Martha. In Luke 10:38-42, she is full of worry and complaint. I am more worried about the piles of needs, instead of planted in God's faithful word. My faith mimics Martha's lack of faith before Lazarus's resurrection. I can only see the bleakness of the situation. I have little hope that it will change.
Luther was steadfast and held to his conviction, no matter what the opposition. He took on all of the Roman Catholic Church. He faced excommunication and threats of torture. He still remained faithful to his message. He didn't allow worry and complaint to rule his life. He took action, when action was needed.
We must open our ears to hear the message. What is the Lord telling the church? We need a reformer like Martin Luther. Not a trembling Martha. Scholarly reformers, not worry warts.
I do believe Martha has a place in the body of Christ. However, when it comes to reform, we need to guard ourselves from worry and disbelief.
If you have any insight into the dream.please share!
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