without thoughts of reward, praise, or thanks

Luke 10

I want to understand this idea of cumbered service. Apparently, cumbered means preoccupied, distracted, and pulled in different directions. Hmmm....Maybe that is why our prophet and leaders have been warning women lately about being too busy. How can we serve well, how can we choose that good part, if we are cumbered about by much serving. Possibly, cumbered service is self-centered instead of Christ-centered.

"If our service is to be most efficacious, it must be unconcerned with self and heedless of personal advantage. It must be accomplished for the love of God and the love of His children....from this principle we learn that it is not enough to serve God with all of our might and strength. He who looks into our hearts and knows our minds demands more than this. In order to stand blameless before God at the last day, we must also serve him with all our heart and mind." Dallin Oaks, Pure in Heart, 47-49

Service cannot be preoccupied, distracted, focused on the servant, done for reward, or performed out of pride. Motivation to serve should be to build up the kingdom of God. Mary and Martha can each choose the better part through their own precious talents and remaining steadfast in Christ. If our goal is charity, it doesn't really matter how we perform our acts of service. With charity, we will forget ourselves, put pride aside, put away tools of comparison, and allow His grace to make us happy and whole. He will accept our acts of service, when we do them without thoughts of reward, praise, or thanks.

In my studies this morning, the hymn Press Forward, Saints, written by Marvin K. Gardner, keeps coming to mind. I am so hopeful, earning to embrace the good sides of both Mary and Martha.

Press forward, Saints, with steadfast faith in Christ,

With hope's bright flame alight in heart and mind, 

With love of God and love of all mankind.

Aleluia! Aleluia! Aleluia!

Press forward, festing on the words of Christ.

Receive His name, rejoicing in his might.

Come unto God; find everlasting light.

Aleluia! Aleluia! Aleluia!

Press on, enduring in the ways of Christ.

His love proclaim thru days of mortal strife.

Thus saith our God: "Ye have eternal life!"

Aleluia! Aleluia! Aleluia!