Busy-ness is not always God's business

Matthew 10: 38-42
"Now it came to pass , as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken way from her.

WOW, so many things to think about in this passage. First I want to say the title for this entry was not original with me, though I have heard it, or similar, many time.

In this passage Jesus recognized Martha's care as well as Mary's devotion. I want to focus on the contrast and how it applies to us. Martha is a generous lady, willingly opening her home to the Savior. All that planning and preparation I think distracted her from what was really important here. Just doing 'good things' is not enough, you should be doing what you are truly called to do with out recognition.

I have been guilty of the same (and I am sure others of you out there will agree) we get so wrapped up in planning some event that when the time for the event comes we are running around in the back of the room, kitchen, or wherever trying to keep everything together (usually do to poor planning or last minute changes we made) so much that we don't get to sit and hear the speaker, eat a bite or even visit a moment with our friends. Often, like Martha, we forget the PRE-in 'preparation'. Confession time: In the past I have relished in this 'martyr' type of situation "oh , look at me, I am working SO hard over here." As I recently studied this passage in Matthew it really made me think, "why am I doing this... or that... or the other thing?"

Christ wanted Martha's heart MORE than her home, (you can insert your money, time, talents or whatever in that spot).


(also given to me by a friend):
"Jesus would live had Martha not fed him,
but.....
Martha would not live if Jesus had not fed HER."

Don't get so busy in doing or tied down in 'appearing' that you forget you are called to BE a Christian, a follower of Christ. How can we be like Christ if we don't spend the needed time at 'His feet', in his word, listening and adoring HIM.

"Mary hath chosen" Jesus said. It's a choice, putting your priorities in place. Intimacy with God should always have first place. Jesus patiently waits for us to come sit at HIS feet. He does not come in the kitchen (or the office) and drag us out ... He just waits.... how long will He have to wait?

I Kings 19:12-13 "And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it...."

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.