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 only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
Martha was the one who welcomed Jesus into her home. Yet who does the Bible say was sitting at Jesus' feet listening to Him ? Martha had the important task of making sure Jesus was comfortable as a visitor in her home. This no doubt was an important task that could not be taken lightly. This was Jesus after all !
Yet Jesus said Mary had chosen the better thing. All she did was sit at His feet and listen. There are many important things we have to do in life. Let me ask though : how many of those important things are simply distractions that draw us away from the "better" things ?
This question is one that I deal with everyday in my own walk with God. I am in the process of getting a graduate degree ; that's important and even dignifying. But could the better thing be taking the gospel from village to village in parts of the world that truly and desperately need Jesus ? I sometimes run out of bed an hurriedly get dressed so I can make it to work on time. That is important. But could the better thing be sleeping a little early so I can wake up a little early to commune with God before my day starts ?
It seems to me that the "better" things are eternal. None of us will live forever. We will have to give an account to God for the lives we lived on earth. So the question I always ask myself is " Am I choosing the better things?"
I pray that each of us will choose the better thing. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Martha was the one who welcomed Jesus into her home. Yet who does the Bible say was sitting at Jesus' feet listening to Him ? Martha had the important task of making sure Jesus was comfortable as a visitor in her home. This no doubt was an important task that could not be taken lightly. This was Jesus after all !
Yet Jesus said Mary had chosen the better thing. All she did was sit at His feet and listen. There are many important things we have to do in life. Let me ask though : how many of those important things are simply distractions that draw us away from the "better" things ?
This question is one that I deal with everyday in my own walk with God. I am in the process of getting a graduate degree ; that's important and even dignifying. But could the better thing be taking the gospel from village to village in parts of the world that truly and desperately need Jesus ? I sometimes run out of bed an hurriedly get dressed so I can make it to work on time. That is important. But could the better thing be sleeping a little early so I can wake up a little early to commune with God before my day starts ?
It seems to me that the "better" things are eternal. None of us will live forever. We will have to give an account to God for the lives we lived on earth. So the question I always ask myself is " Am I choosing the better things?"
I pray that each of us will choose the better thing. In Jesus Name, Amen.
2 comments:
This is a passage that has often come up for me in recent months. And God has continued to speak to me through this passage- slow down- savor. Stop and look/listen for me. It is easy to get so busy we miss daily giving thanks and praise to our God, and sitting at his feet. I agree, it is the better thing.
A good reminder in the midst of our activity- even "good things" to take time to stop and see our Savior. Thank you for sharing- blessings.
God bless you too. It's always a blessing to be reminded that this life is transient and that all that really matters are the "better things".
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