As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10: 38-42

I can relate to Martha in this passage. There was plenty to be done and her stress level was probably way above normal. People had congregated at her home to see Jesus and someone had to feed them. Been there, done that! Not feeding Jesus of course but making the Martha choice instead of the Mary choice!

For some reason it is easy for me to get so into the things that need to be done that I can put off to the side the one thing, the better thing, the only one that will not be taken away from me – time spent with Jesus.

Strong’s Concordance says the Greek word used for distracted is perispaó: which translates to be distracted, to be pulled away, to be over-occupied. Distractions do that, don’t they? Pull us away from what is most important. Yes chores need to be done and especially if guests are coming there is much to be done. And certainly, there is no shortage of other distractions. But like Martha and Mary, we have a choice.

Martha was distracted by serving and we probably all know that serving is vitally important. Where would churches be if people didn’t serve. But often times, serving can be a distraction. We can tell ourselves I will do this and then I will sit with Jesus. He will understand, right?

I believe He does understand. But I have learned that over the years I have been a Christian and serving in a variety of capacities for church, family and work that I am the one that missed out by putting time with Jesus on the wait list.

Daily we have the choice on where our focus and time and attention get spent. This verse makes it clear that sitting with Jesus should rank high on our list, if not first.

I think that our time spent serving would be greatly enhanced if we invested a good deal of time sitting with Jesus.

I have missed so many opportunities to sit at your feet Jesus. I know You understand and still love me, but I want more of You. Help me make my to do list start with You and end with You not in a works performance way but in a dedicated, devotional, relational way because I genuinely want more of You. Thank You and amen.

photo credit: peterdehaan.com