“‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.” Luke 10:41-42

 

Jesus had come to visit Martha at her home, and Martha was unhappy that her sister Mary was just sitting around listening to Jesus.
Tell her to help me Jesus!  Don’t you see how busy I am?
And Jesus responds with our verses for today – “you are worried and upset about many things…you only need to worry about one thing”

Oh Martha. She was so frantic about getting things ready for Jesus, she forgot all about Jesus!
I’d like to think I’m Mary in this story, sitting quietly and calmly at the feet of Jesus, but I really think I’m Martha.
And let’s be real – most of us are more Martha than Mary.

We are BUSY.
Crazy busy.
“Worried and upset about many things”

And that’s not bad, in fact, Jesus doesn’t tell Martha that what she is doing is wrong… I mean, they are going to need to eat, and have places to sit, so the things she does aren’t unneeded, in fact just the opposite.

She only wanted some help from her sister.
She wasn’t thinking about what Mary was doing at all. Only herself.

 

How often do we do that?
How often do we assume that what we are doing is the most important thing?
That there can’t possibly be something that is higher up on the list than our stuff?

Oh Martha.
There is something better.
Your stuff isn’t bad, but there is something better than running around, worrying, and being stressed out.
Really.
And it’s Jesus.

So today, in the middle of your to-do lists, your stress and worry and running around, take some time to sit with Jesus.
Take out your Bible.
Find this story. (Luke 10:38-42)
Hear what Jesus is saying to you today:
Being with me is the one thing.
It’s the only thing you need.
I am the better thing

Or find another section to read… It doesn’t matter which one, just come sit with Jesus.
In the midst of your busy day, I promise it’s ok to sit in stillness for a bit.
Your stuff will still be there when you get back…

But this is better.  

 

PS.

This week, be an uplifter by giving someone in your life the gift of time. Run an errand for them. Cook a meal. Watch their kids so they can have just a few minutes of stillness. Give them something better than busy.