1999-07-30 - Mary, Sister of Martha

We continue looking at women in the Bible. This week, we will see what we can learn from Mary.

Luke 10:38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. ³⁹ Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he taught. ⁴⁰ But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me." ⁴¹ But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! ⁴² There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it-and I won't take it away from her." New Living Translation

I think many of us can identify with Martha's frenetic activity and her impatience with Mary. What does your to-do list look like? How do you feel when you are around people who have a more mellow, laidback attitude? Do they irritate you? I admit I am much more like Martha than Mary -- busy, busy, busy. My plate is usually close to overflowing, with church activity, school, online ministry, not to mention household chores. And all these things if done in the right spirit, can be offered up as service to God and our fellow man. But we need to make time for the most important thing of all. Jesus tells Martha -- and us -- that Mary is on the right track, that "there is only one thing worth being concerned about." Those are strong words. How much time of your day do we spend sitting at Jesus' feet, listening? How much time do we spend doing the "only thing worth being concerned about--" reading and meditating on His word, praying and listening for His voice? This needs to be at the top of our "to-do" list. Not just because it is the right thing to do, though it is. We owe it to Him as our Lord. But it is good for us also -- it nourishes our spirits, minds and bodies.

In fact, all the other things we are involved with will sometimes go more smoothly when we are allowing plenty of time to just "be with" Christ every day. At the least, He can give us an inner peace that can surround us no matter what is happening in our external worlds.

You aren't good at sitting still? I'm not, either! But it becomes easier as you make it a habit. You may be surprised that you begin to look forward to it and enjoy it.

You don't have enough time? Shouldn't you make time for the most important Person in our world, the Person Who loved us so much He sent His Son to die for us? The Person to whom we owe our very lives in worship (Rom. 12:1)? The Person with Whom we will spend eternity if we believe in His Son as our Savior? You will never have the intimate relationship God wants with you, and that your soul is made for, unless you spend quiet time with Him often. There are longings in our hearts that can only be satisfied through closeness to God. We can't afford NOT to make this time commitment.

I challenge you, along with myself, to try to spend more time each day, sitting at His feet, listening to Christ.

: ) Jan
cfdevcfpray@yahoo.com

http://www.cfdevotionals.org