Am I a Martha or Mary? Prioritizing Jesus Amid Life's Busyness
For reference, Martha and Mary were sisters and friends of Jesus who lived with their brother Lazarus (Whom Jesus raised him from the dead) in Bethany. Today, we are referencing Luke 10:38-42 to help us understand the characteristics of these two sisters and how Jesus felt about both of their actions.
"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, 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.” Luke 10:38-40
After reading this passage, my immediate thought was, "Lord, am I a Martha or a Mary?" How often do I prioritize tasks, chores, and to-do lists over sitting in the presence of the Lord? How often does busyness consume me, and the greater question is how often do I miss Jesus in the midst of it all?
I have to admit that I do see characteristics of Martha within me, but I don’t believe that is a bad thing. God honors serving hands and productivity. He has given us responsibilities and has entrusted us with things that require our time and attention.
Let's take a look at Jesus' response to Martha "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 10:41-42
He doesn't rebuke Martha for asking Him to make Mary help her. He instead lovingly responds to her. He also doesn't rebuke Martha for her serving but explains that she should not be worried or upset (consumed) with what she is doing. He goes on to explain that Mary made the wise decision to prioritize sitting in His presence rather than being consumed with tasks and her performance.
So, to answer my question am I a Martha or a Mary...I am both.
There are more days than not that I allow my performance, tasks, responsibilities, and every other thing vying for my attention to consume me and forget to prioritize Jesus.
There are also days when I release the pressure to get it all done and for things to be perfect and remember that He is my source and the most important part of my day.
The message I received from Luke 10:38-42 is that God desires a heart after His own even while being pulled in all directions. He knows what we have to do, and all of our responsibilities, and yes they are important. But seeking Him and His presence is something that can never be taken from us, unlike the things of this world.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for all you have entrusted us with in this life, we honor and embrace it all. We know that the things of this world are fleeting and we never want to allow our performance or accomplishments to consume us. Let us not build our foundation on what we do but instead on You. Give a heart like Mary, the desire to choose Him amid life's busyness, and remind us that choosing you is the only thing worth being concerned about.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
