"As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, while listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me." But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:38-42)
Far too many of us resemble Martha than we do Mary. We live in such a fast pace world that we hardly take the time to just stop, rest, and listen. It was said that Martha was "distracted" by the big dinner she was preparing. What was she distracted from? What really mattered! She was distracted from sitting at her Lord's feet! Yes, she was doing important things! I mean, someone had to make the meal right? Someone had to do all the "ministry" and work right? When she complained to Jesus he responded to her by saying, "You are worried and upset over all these details. There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it." So what was it Mary discovered? The right time and place to sit at the Lord's feet-to listen! If we aren't careful the noises of this life will choke out the voice of the Lord! Even in ministry we take pride in being "busy" and doing so many "good" things. We must remember our first ministry is upward before it is outward! It is unto God before it is unto man! The great commandment comes before the great commission! Please help us Lord not to be so busy doing more that we start becoming less of the man or woman of God you have called us to be. Help us to be good stewards of our time. Help us to know when to say "no". Help us God to slow down or even stop so we can make sure we don't miss what trully matters-spending time listening to you.
4 comments:
Good point...
LP
I was thinking about this same idea just the other day. We ask God to use us but we book up all of our time doing "what has to get done" by the time we are done with that He has no chance to use us.
thanks for your comment lee. i miss you here. hope all is well at seminary! see you soon!
Beck, I have just read the "In His Presence". I think I underestand the premise of this illustration of this set of scriptures, I have always had trouble with this. Who would have fed all these people if someone didnot cook the food. What if Martha had sat at Jesus' feet also. I always seem to be like Martha. All the work, none of the pleasures.
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