It seemed she was doing nothing. But, she chose the good portion. How did she do that? She focused on Jesus and caught the vision for the one thing necessary.
It seemed her sister was doing everything. She had a choice too. She chose the chores. She was task oriented and lost in the work. Doing many things all at once, she was distracted, doing too much. She was working alone with much serving. She was anxious and troubled.
Mary and Martha were sisters, living in the same home. Jesus was their invited guest. “Martha welcomed Him into her house” (Luke 10:38 ESV). He was welcomed into their home and both wanted to serve Him.
This was not a story about laziness versus diligence. It was a story about focus. Martha was task oriented in her focus. Mary was vision focused in her service.
Martha focused on the work. Mary focused on Jesus.
But busyness without intimacy always leads to emptiness.
How can we as disciples of Jesus Christ become vision focused over being task oriented in our service to Him? It is a good question for Lent. So, how can we find the “good portion which will not be taken away” (10:42)?
While “Martha was distracted with much serving” (vs. 40), Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet” (vs.39). Mary understood something essential. Before you do for Him, you must be with Him. That is what it means to be vision focused.
Take time from the distractions of life, the working and over-stimulation of so many things to sit at Jesus’ feet each day. Jesus is the one who compelled His disciples to “come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). In this season can we give Jesus our labors done in our own strength, our own efforts and quietly seek time with Him through prayer and the scriptures. Take time to wait until after the time at His feet, humbly focused on His face, quietly gazing into His eyes. Gently listen for His heart to call you to His vision for the next steps.
While Martha was “anxious and troubled about many things” (vs. 41) Mary “listened to His teaching” (vs 39). Let’s take some time to listen to the scriptures we read each day. What is the Spirit saying to us? Let’s take the time for that small group and our bands that lead us into deeper times of discipleship. What is Jesus teaching us in this as we “take up our cross and follow Him” (Matthew 16:24).
If you want your life to bear lasting fruit, start at His feet. Refuse to let activity replace intimacy. Guard your time with Him as the source of everything else you do. When you choose the one thing necessary, the many things fall into their proper place. Busyness without intimacy always leads to emptiness, but devotion rooted in His presence leads to clarity, peace, and purpose. Sit with Him. Listen to Him. Let His vision shape your next step. The good portion is still available, and it will not be taken from you.
In Christ,
Rev. Kari Howard
Interim Conference Superintendent