• faith
  • life
  • motherhood
  • books
  • family
  • home
  • food
  • travel
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • blog
  • about
  • Beautycounter
  • podcast
  • design
chelsea eubank

chelsea eubank

stories + graces of everyday life with God

  • about
  • podcast
  • Design
  • Shop
  • clean beauty
  • contact

Emotional-Intellectual

04/19/2014 · In: faith

I’m an emotional being. Emotional meaning more than just active tear ducts. I feel things deeply. I am passionate, and I am easily consumed with happenings, instances, emotions. This tenderness, this sensitivity, has been an incredible avenue for experiencing an intimacy with God. It allows me to embrace a closeness to Him I wouldn’t trade for anything.

However, I’m not all emotion. I am a perpetual learner, an insatiable seeker. So I read, but find myself agreeing with C.S. Lewis when he said,

“For my own part, I tend to find the doctrinal books often more helpful in devotion than the devotional books.”

I sometimes find that my heart seems unbidden (as C.S. Lewis puts it) while I’m working my way through a tough bit of theology with a pen in hand and water to hydrate. Granted, the emotional intimacy I long for and experience with Jesus is a foundation for being able to study and work my way through the things my mind finds new or foreign or difficult. This inspires me to question and to search, knowing that I am whole, secure, and unconditionally loved in Christ.

Then I read a familiar story in a different light, and gleaned something so relevant to these thoughts.

Mary and Martha, the sisters of Bethany, were on opposite ends of the emotional-intellectual spectrum of spirituality. When Jesus comes to raise their brother Lazarus, each sister met him with the same lament: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” But upon reading this story again, I discover that Jesus doesn’t respond to them in the same way.

To Mary, He extends emotional comfort, grieving with her openly (John 11:28-36). He weeps with her. And she is okay with this, an explanation isn’t what she seeks.

To Martha, Jesus offers intellectual comfort, through teaching (John 11:20-27). She sort of challenges Jesus, and in response He pushes her to examine the depth, and source, of her faith. Martha was intellectually comforted by His word.

Both head and heart have important contributions to make to the body of Christ. 

“There are different kids of service, but the same Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12:5

I’m not exactly sure which one is more me, which one is my default. Probably the emotion. :)

By: Chelsea Eubank · In: faith

you’ll also love

Current Read: Prayer
when the day is tough — Netflix or God’s Presence?
Growing Up Into Christ
Next Post >

“You Got This.”

Primary Sidebar

Search

I'm Chelsea... a wife, mom and friend passionate about cultivating a rich life with God.

This blog is equal parts family stories, faith reflections and creative delight.

I read a lot. I eat peanut butter every day. I like shopping secondhand. I love hosting people in our home.

Writing helps me pay attention, and paying attention keeps me grateful.

Glad you're here!

Series on the Blog

  • Reading and Listening
  • Current Read
  • Joy Triggers
  • Instagram Archives
  • Clothe Yourself With
  • Perspectives
  • Truth To Consider
  • grateful list
  • A Few Things

THE PODCAST

the email

archives

topics

abiding anna art & design beautycounter biblical truth birthdays body image books clothe yourself series crushing on current read faith family fear food goals God God's presence grace gratitude him holidays inspirational words Jesus joy triggers julia Kids learned life life with God love marriage me motherhood music photography prayer reading and listening recipes reflection simplicity social media spiritual growth travel wisdom

Footer

Listening

  • BEMA
  • Pray the Word
  • Church of the City
  • Elisabeth Elliot
  • Raising Boys and Girls

Reading

  • Jasmine Holmes
  • Henri Nouwen
  • Justin Earley
  • Helen Smallbone
  • Darrell Johnson

engaging the Church & kindling love for God one testimony at a time

Listen in as people just like you share about their life with God.

Check out my podcast!

Copyright © 2023 · Theme by 17th Avenue