PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 10:38-42
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You are anxious and troubled about many things… (Luke 10:41-42).
Boy can I relate to Martha, anxious and troubled about many things.
As Mark Twain said, ‘I had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.’
The problem here is not that Martha was working and Mary was not.
The problem is that Martha’s spirit was hot and bothered.
Her inner anxieties and troubles were about secondary, unnecessary things.
Jesus was not expecting her to do the work of two or more people.
Martha did not need to sit at Jesus’ feet to do the one necessary thing.
All that was needed was to do what her heart led her to do for Jesus.
And if she had wanted to sit at Jesus’ feet too, she could have.
I think of the busyness that often overwhelms me and I am anxious within.
I don’t have to do everything, Jesus just wants me to do my part with and for him.
I can take time to sit still, like Mary… or take time to work hard, like Martha.
To work and to rest, in the spirit of Mary, is the one thing needed.
To relax, whether I am working or resting, in the awareness that Jesus is near.
PRAYER
Lord, the many things that distract me from you keep me from loving and serving you with joy and peace. May I go about my Martha work today in the spirit of Mary.
I like how Jesus connected with Martha acknowledging her worries and upset before he corrected her. Using her name twice in a row-loving attention! Then the correction- not to compare, setting the priorities straight, dropping the anger and allowing others to have their needs met. I wonder how Martha felt? It would take me some time to take it all in. It is so hard sometimes to be still, for myself and to allow it in others. May I connect before I try to correct.
“you are worried and upset about many things” – I can be like that. It may also be that I care and want to do the right things – but like Jesus I need to care about what’s important – especially in the life of people I meet and not the things of life – they need to take second priority. Taking the time to connect with someone instead of being so engaged in the business of daily living. Jesus knew what Mary needed and he knew what Martha needed too. I need to stop to breathe or even in the working breathe and listen to Jesus. Not to let the busyness of life distract me!
Keep my eyes on Jesus. Focus on Him. Do not get lost on the busyness of the daily routine but as in all days, God Is First. Focus on that and see all things through His eyes. Today is also the Lord’s day and that must be my focus – All For Jesus.
1
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
2
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!
3
His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!