I wanted to be braver,stronger,step outside my comfort zone more and try new things. But the laundry still piles up, lesson plans still need to be done, papers corrected and food ,food feels like a never ending battle to always make something that’s delicious that everyone will actually eat.
And… just like that my quite time sitting at the feet of Jesus, developing the single most important relationship in my life has gone out the window and my mind feels like it can’t focus when there’s a mountain of things piling up.
I can’t help thinking Lord I know I have a Martha attitude but didn’t she kinda get a bad rap? was Jesus maybe being a little harsh with Martha? I mean I can completely relate to her, things had to be done, and someone has to do them.
Picture this with me: we have Jesus visiting with Mary and Martha . Mary just leaves all the work that needs to be done and instead slacks off sitting instead at Jesus’s feet. Martha in the background is working hard trying to get things done that need to be done and she ask for Jesus’s help and He tell’s her that Mary has chosen the better part.
I remember the day not that long ago, my sister and I were chatting on the phone as I cleaned ,we talked about a variety of things but then as we talked about Mary and Martha she said something that most of you probably have already figured out, but to to me in it’s pointed simplicity pricked my heart.
She said “Martha had the sin of idolatry going on” my mouth shut (for once) and all I could think was that’s so true! how have I not seen it in those black and white terms before ? How had I not realized this simple truth. When we get distracted by the duties of the day we are committing the act of idolatry, making whatever is pressing in on us more important than Christ himself.
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[a] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 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 alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
I love that word necessary, it is necessary to sit at Jesus feet. As we go about our days filled with taking care of our spouse and kids, errands, cooking, classes and relationships, bible studies, meetings, and the list goes on remember this it that is is necessary to sit at Jesus feet.