“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 away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
Yesterday, I applied the delete function to my to do list. I went through and deleted items I hadn’t actually done yet, only leaving behind what was absolutely essential. Why? Because if I’m honest, although I have the desire and heart to be like Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, soaking in His every word, and absorbing every ounce of His presence, my day-to-day reality pegs me as more of a Martha-type than I’d like to admit. Although I desire to prioritize spending time in God’s presence, I am driven to perform more, to accomplish more, and to attend to a multitude of distractions, leaving me with little time or energy to do the things I desire most. Yesterday, as I was in the car and my husband was driving, I admired the sky and clouds, a magnificent display. I recognized that I don’t get enough time to look at the sky, notice it, or enjoy it. I asked myself, do I really want to continue living my life in such a way that I don’t soak in the beautiful things around me that make life worth living? And the answer is, I don’t.
For those not familiar with the story, Luke 10:38-42 recounts the story of the time that Jesus comes to visit Mary and Martha in their home. Can you imagine hosting Jesus and what you might be thinking, feeling, and experiencing? The Bible describes that the two sisters had very different responses to this encounter. Mary sat directly at the feet of Jesus, hanging on His every word. Martha stayed busy in the kitchen distracted by the preparations and details. Martha, in her frustration over Mary’s lack of help in the kitchen, entreats Jesus to give Mary a talking to. Jesus responds with the words cited above, “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
These words highlight an important reality. Every minute of our day represents a choice. How will we spend it? It also highlights that while some choices may be good or okay, some are better. Are we choosing what is best? Are we choosing to fixate on details, but losing the overall vision? Are we choosing to chase perfection at the expense of true sustainable growth and progress? Are we choosing our to-do list over quality time with friends and family? Are we choosing to overcrowd our calendars to the point that finding time to rest in God’s presence is a struggle?
Today, I’d like to encourage you to take note of your burn out and exhaustion and examine the choices that led you there. Is there an area of your life where the Holy Spirit is leading you to choose something better? Where can you set aside worries, distractions, and details to pursue the things you are truly passionate about and the things He designed for you? What in your life is essential and what is it time to let go of?
Lord,
I pray this week you would help us to discover where we can choose what is better with our resources, energy, and especially our time. Help us to discover margin, rest, and time to pursue the things we are truly passionate in our lives, most of all you. Help us to let go of what’s not essential, in order that we can focus on what truly is.
Amen.
