We glean another important lesson from Mary and Martha–when we keep God and His Word first in our days, God equips us so that we may joyfully serve Him without distraction and worry.
Martha is frustrated and resorts to complaining and finger pointing completely missing out on the fact that Jesus is teaching in her presence. Look at the words used to describe Martha, “distracted” and “worried and troubled about many things.” The ESV translates it as “anxious and troubled.”
These same words can be true of us when we turn our focus to the many things that need to be done in our lives without viewing them from the mind, perspective, and priority of Jesus. When we don’t live out our days with Jesus at the forefront, we invite in worry, distractions, and anxiety. Not only that, but like Martha, we may miss a direct opportunity to hear a Word from God because our mind is on something of less importance.
Can you identify with Martha being “worried and troubled” because she skipped the blessing of sitting at Jesus’ feet and went straight into doing?
Can you identify with Martha’s pointing fingers at what someone else is doing (or not doing) because you yourself aren’t doing what is required of you?
Lesson 3: When we operate outside of God’s priority we invite frustration, complaining, distractions, worry, anxiety, and trouble into our days.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you are good! Thank you for being generous, kind, faithful and true. Help me to keep you as the priority at all times. Help me to seek you first before I go about my day. Give me the joy that comes from walking in holiness with you! Equip me with what I need in this moment and allow your Word to take root in my heart and mind. Show me where my actions are the cause of my own frustration, worry, and trouble and help me to turn. I praise you for it now and I ask it all in your name, Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture
Luke 10:38-42 NKJV ”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.”“
Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV ”But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.“
Psalms 119:105 NKJV ”Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.“
Psalms 119:133 NKJV ”Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.“
Psalms 119:162 NKJV ”I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure.“
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”
This lesson is so spot on. As we prefer to identify with Mary in this lesson everyday, quite often we can also identify with Martha and all of the feelings she had as well. Thankfully, just as God revealed to Martha the posture she chose, he also reveals to us where we are and encourages us to get back at his feet.
This came to mind….
”For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?“
Mark 8:36 NKJV