One Thing Is Needed
“The Lord answered her,” Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken from her” (Luke 10:41-42 CSB).
In scripture, we see two sisters, Martha and Mary, they and their brother, Lazarus, were friends of Jesus. One day Jesus and His disciples went to their home and as Jesus sat teaching them, Mary “also sat at Jesus’ feet and was listening to what He said” (Luke 10:39). The story goes on to say that “Martha was distracted by her many tasks…” and she wanted Jesus to tell Mary to help her. However, Jesus said, “Mary has made the right choice…”
Just like Martha, we often get distracted by so many tasks that we become overwhelmed and start to become upset and worried about getting it all done. Even if the tasks we are doing are ‘good’ tasks, like serving the church, ministering to others, or helping those in need, (Martha was trying to serve the Lord and His disciples). These are good things to do and God does want us to serve Him, by serving others. However, if our many tasks start to replace spending time at the feet of Jesus, neglecting prayer and putting off reading His word, then we need to listen to what Jesus told Martha:
“You are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice…”
It will always be the right choice to sit at the feet of Jesus.
We see Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to Him teach in Luke 10:39; We also see her grieving and crying at the feet of Jesus in John 11:32, and again in John 12:3, she is at the feet of Jesus anointing His feet and wiping His feet with her hair.
God wants us to serve Him, but He doesn’t want it to distract us from our relationship with Him. He wants us to spend quality time with Him, reading His words (listening to Him as He teaches us), praying, calling out to Him, and talking with Him (in our grief & troubles and giving Him praise and worship). Sometimes, He wants us to be still in His presence, knowing that He is God and that we can trust Him to take care of us.
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10)
If we allow our many tasks to distract us from our personal relationship with Jesus, then we have out priorities out of order. Our relationship with Jesus needs to be #1.
If your many tasks start to distract you, overwhelm you, and cause you to worry and get upset, remember what Jesus told Martha, “One thing is needed…” go sit at the feet of Jesus and just be with Him for a while.
He is waiting, He loves you, and He wants to spend time with you.
Until next time… Let us get our priorities in order, make Jesus #1 today.
Shalom 😉.
Amen, there are so many things we can get stuck in, that may seem Godly but inevitably drag us away from Him when our focus isn't right.
Thanks for the reminder!