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Beautiful Messes: Martha

“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.’ 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.’”¹

Meet Martha. Hard-working, extremely task-oriented, one of those dependable people that we can count on to do what is needed. Maybe you have met someone, or you yourself are, like this. In today’s fast- paced lifestyle, having a “Martha” on your team is quite convenient.

We find Martha's story in the Gospel of Luke and John. Martha and her sister Mary were widely known as being friends of Jesus. Their home, that they shared with their brother, Lazarus, is where Jesus stayed whenever he was in town. On one occasion, Jesus was having a “Bible Study” in their living room. Naturally, having guests meant that there was a house to maintain and food to prepare. So, as her personality begged, Martha went right to work. After, a while of donning the load on her own, she became tired and wondered where her sister had gone to. Much was Martha’s frustration when she saw Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet without a care in the world. Now, Martha loved Jesus with her whole heart, but with so much to be done, she just didn’t have time to spare for Jesus that day. When Martha had finally had enough, she burst into the room where Jesus was teaching and demanded that He send Mary to help her in the kitchen! Jesus, however, refused her request and gently told her that Mary had chosen “the good part” (Luke 10:42). I’m sure that Martha felt a little foolish at that point because deep down she would have loved to have been at Jesus’ feet as well. The busyness of Martha’s lifestyle became her mess.

Martha represents many of us today who spend so much of our time doing good things and keeping busy that we have no time to spare for Jesus or to build our relationship with Him. Although Jesus has made room for all types of personalities in His kingdom, let us not become so caught up in our daily tasks that the quality of our relationship with Jesus is diminished. Martha missed out on the blessing of sitting at the feet of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Don’t let that opportunity pass you by today; Spend some time in the Lord’s presence right now.

Suggested Prayer:

Dear Patient Father, there are days when I allow the daily routine to consume me, and I leave no time for you. Forgive me, Father. Help me to prioritize my day so that spending time with you becomes my #1 task. I don’t want to miss the blessing of sitting at your feet and hearing what you have for me today. In Jesus’ loving name, Amen.

 

1. Luke 10: 40-42 (ESV).