Today’s thought was inspired by our daily ready plan at church. Here’s the passage:
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42 ESV
If you are like me, you probably see a lot of yourself in Martha. There is always plenty to do and worry about. And when these things distract us, we begin to get judgmental and feel sorry for ourselves. This is a bad combination!
Regardless of what all we want to work on, or worry about. Jesus assures us that there is only one thing that is necessary. And this is revealed in Mary’s choice.
That is, she chose to be with the Master. Hearing His Teachings. Taking time to tune out all the noise around her and to focus on Him. Jesus said, “this will NOT be taken away from her.” In other words, it was not a waste of her time; it was an investment of her time.
Take this how you will. But in my opinion, we have this same choice today. We can be distracted by every thing undone around us. Or be at peace in the Master’s presence.
Jesus assures us elsewhere in scripture that worry has ZERO benefit:
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Matthew 6:27 ESV
So why do we do it? I think we do it as an attempt to be in control. If I’m worried about it, I’m being “responsible” for it. However, worry has nothing to do with responsible. It’s an unnecessary step in the process that can turn into a distraction, and a life-suck.
So do yourself a favor today. Avoid the unnecessary troubles of worry. Choose the “good portion.” Choose what will be an investment.
That is being with The Master. That IS the “only one thing that is necessary.”
Love this!