Here is the story of Martha and Mary:
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
Martha was a serve-aholic.
She did things for Jesus but Jesus wanted her to do things with Him, of which the most important was to sit at His feet and hear His word, actively and intimately engaging with Him.
I’m a recovering Martha.
A person who did a lot of busy work and service unto the Lord and others but as a result did not spend enough time with Him, which is the One and only needed thing of all that we can do in our Christian life. Everything else we do should be in response to what we hear in this time at Jesus’ feet.
I wasn’t always a Martha way but fell into this mode without even realizing it, until I started to experience burn out. That’s when I realized I had let busyness, busy work and the seemingly urgent take priority over the one thing that is truly important. Once I realized what had happened I got things in order in my life by letting some things go and putting a system of checks and balances in my life to keep me focused and on track.
But even now sometimes, I get into doer-mode and I’m not talking about the Word of God (see James 1:22), I’m talking doing too much, adding to my plate in an effort to serve the Lord. It’s in times like this that I have stop all activity and refocus my priorities.
Beloved, if you are a Martha, a recovering Martha, or Mary life is trying to make into a Martha, remember that Jesus wants you to serve but not in place of your relationship with Him. If you need help in this area you can download my free resource “From Busy to Balanced” here.
Watch the video for the full story and the lessons, and be blessed!
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