Chapter 9- Martha's Teachable Heart

Martha was able to learn. She opened her heart to Jesus that day in the living room and was able to learn a valuable lesson. The author, Joanna Weaver, had us look at the story of Lazarus and Martha's reaction to Jesus. She had learned a lesson and was able to place her trust in Jesus as she met him on the road to her home.

Having a teachable heart sounds wonderful to me. Being able to learn and then follow through would be wonderful. I usually fall short at the follow through. Weaver gives us 3 things we must do to have a teachable heart. 1. A willingness to listen. 2. Acting on what we hear and 3. responding to discipline.

I got the listening thing (most days) it is that acting on what we hear that causes me problems. I was thinking of ways that I can listen better and then act so that I have a teachable heart that can be used to spread the love of Christ. Here are the 3 ways I came up with to help myself have a teachable heart.

1. Read the Word- it's hard to know what to learn if I'm not digging deep into the Bible. I want to learn. I want to know and be able to listen to the voice of God. I need the Word of God to do that.

2. Asking for forgiveness- I have a tendency to either not listen or not obey. I tell my toddler all the time "obey me". He sure heard me, but he isn't acting on it. I'm the same in my faith life. I hear ya God, but I just need to check my email one more time. In those times I need to ask for forgiveness. In the study at the end of this chapter she uses Psalm 51:10-12 as a way to show that God is willing to forgive and change us. These are some of my favorite verses in the bible. We use them every week in worship. They are our prayer for forgiveness.

3. Knowing that having a teachable heart means change- As we learn, have our sins forgiven, and start the whole process over again, we will be changed. Learning new things and changing into the person God wants you to be can be painful. Not changing though, seems to be even more painful. Not wanting to learn new things or have a teachable heart sounds like it might make life a little harder. For 4 years I learned about having a teachable heart in an accelerated program called "Seminary Spouse". God changed me so much in those 4 years that although I recognize myself before, the after seems like one of those makeover shows. It looks like it was done over night. My teachable heart made me a better mother, wife, pastor's spouse and friend.

So, as I finally finished chapter 9, I encourage you to have a teachable heart like Martha. God has something for us to learn. It will only make us better. I hope I can take the time to listen and obey.