Scripture
“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve? Tell her then to help me.' But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.' ” (Luke 10:38-42)
Observation
Martha had good intentions to serve Jesus, and expected that Mary would do the same. Yet, Mary wanted to sit in the presence of the Savior and receive what Jesus was offering. Martha was focused on the duty at hand. In any other situation, Martha would be spot on and correct. However, in the presence of Jesus, the right thing to do was being about His business. In this case, duty rightfully so, took a back seat to devotion.
Application
This is a great reminder for me with so many great things that I feel called to. I am one that is prone to a sense of fulfilling my duties and responsibilities – “get her done.” Sometimes, I realize that it can be at the expense of failing to “be in the moment” of an opportunity to do or experience something special. I want to remember to have prudence and priority for things of Christ, and to be about His business. This often happens when I awake in the morning a feel such a responsibility to get some work done, rather than doing my devotions in the Word, first. Oh conviction, conviction! I want to be sure that duty and task never supersedes my devotion to Jesus.
Prayer
