He entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her’ (Luke 10:38-42, NRSV).
I am such a Martha sometimes.
I think, “I’ll just do a couple more chores and then I will have time for those things I really want to do.” And a couple things turn into five. Then I
start a load of laundry, mop a floor, pick up a few odds and ends and... I’m always of the mindset that if I get everything else done, then I can really concentrate on my prayer time.
I have it so wrong!
I could work morning to night and never be done. Yet if I put God first like Mary did, the tasks still get done, the day unfolds as it should and I am carried through it in God’s loving hand. There is always space for Jesus. “Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” I need to remember that. Martha’s work will have to be done again. There will be dishes to wash, rooms to clean, bills to pay, groceries to be purchased. But Mary’s time at the Lord’s feet will be with her forever.
Imagine sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words, hearing His voice. Nothing can replace that—for Mary or for us.
FAITH STEP: Today, choose to “do” less and “be” more at the feet of Jesus.
Written by Judy Baer
