Priorities
From: "TODAY, The Family Alter"
"Mary has chosen what is better...." Luke 10: 42
A few years ago, a friend gave me a little card that said, "If it is to be, it is up to me". Martha was the kind of person who might put that slogan on display in her kitchen. And who could blame her? Her sister was dodging her duties once again. There was dinner to prepare, and Mary was off in a discussion with the Teacher, Jesus.
Many of us can relate to Martha. And we aren't quite ready for Jesus' response...that Martha's "many things" were in the way of the "One thing" that was needed.
What is the "One thing" Jesus was talking about? Certainly Jesus knew there was a time and place for "many things" of meal preparation and kitchen cleanup.
Martha's problem had to do with "Priorities". Little things had become everything for her. For Martha, the vegetables had to be just so, the meat had to be seasoned just right, and the table had to be properly set. She was so concerned about putting her expertise on display that she'd forgotten the most important service she could render: simple, faith-filled listening to Jesus.
Martha was one of the first kingdom workaholics. Perhaps some of us have followed in her footsteps. Maybe life has become so hectic with good things that we have forgotten the best thing: "The invitation to sit at Jesus' feet, listen to His words, and learn of His kingdom".
"Prayer":
Lord, in this season, help us to assess our priorities and to learn carefully from Your Word. Help us, like Mary, to choose "what is better". In Your name, Amen.
From: "TODAY, The Family Alter"
"Mary has chosen what is better...." Luke 10: 42
A few years ago, a friend gave me a little card that said, "If it is to be, it is up to me". Martha was the kind of person who might put that slogan on display in her kitchen. And who could blame her? Her sister was dodging her duties once again. There was dinner to prepare, and Mary was off in a discussion with the Teacher, Jesus.
Many of us can relate to Martha. And we aren't quite ready for Jesus' response...that Martha's "many things" were in the way of the "One thing" that was needed.
What is the "One thing" Jesus was talking about? Certainly Jesus knew there was a time and place for "many things" of meal preparation and kitchen cleanup.
Martha's problem had to do with "Priorities". Little things had become everything for her. For Martha, the vegetables had to be just so, the meat had to be seasoned just right, and the table had to be properly set. She was so concerned about putting her expertise on display that she'd forgotten the most important service she could render: simple, faith-filled listening to Jesus.
Martha was one of the first kingdom workaholics. Perhaps some of us have followed in her footsteps. Maybe life has become so hectic with good things that we have forgotten the best thing: "The invitation to sit at Jesus' feet, listen to His words, and learn of His kingdom".
"Prayer":
Lord, in this season, help us to assess our priorities and to learn carefully from Your Word. Help us, like Mary, to choose "what is better". In Your name, Amen.
