CHOOSING THE BETTER PART

“Martha, Martha, ”the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42, NIV)

With the holiday season fast approaching, we need to take stock of what is really important in life.  For those of us who live with chronic illnesses, there will be many activity challenges and choices to make.  Will we unwisely try to do it all this year?  I have done that before, and it only leads to more frustration, depression, and fatigue.  Or will we wisely set aside quiet times during the day to spend with God, pace ourselves and set limits? 

The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 shows us where Jesus wants our focus to be.  The story begins with Jesus journeying to Bethany, and stopping by Mary and Martha’s home.  Mary was smart enough to know that sitting at Jesus’ feet while she had the opportunity was her wisest course of action, and Jesus commended her for it (v. 42).  Martha, on the other hand, “was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” and she was also resentful that Mary was not helping her.  With Jesus as a guest in our home, it would have been very difficult for me just to overlook everything that needed to be done, and stop to sit at His feet.  But that is exactly what Jesus wants us to do.  He created us for a relationship with Him, and He desires that relationship to be our primary focus in life.  Our service for Him is important, but secondary. 

So, not just this holiday season but all year around, let’s make it our goal to sit at Christ’s feet and be a Mary, not a Martha.  As we focus on Him, He will lead and guide us and everything else will fall into place.  Perhaps that is the message Jesus was conveying to Martha.  You will definitely have chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from you!

Dear Jesus, this Christmas help our focus to be on You and Your indescribable gift of a relationship with our King!