Priorities

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:40-42 NIV

Evidently there was some sort of big social event taking place where Mary and Martha lived. Martha was really good at hospitality. She took what she did seriously. Mary was another story. From Martha's point of view, Mary was easily distracted.

Jesus stopped by to visit. Martha kept working. Mary stopped decorating and was talking with Jesus. For someone as organized and driven as Martha, this was too much.

In her own way, Martha was as comfortable with Jesus as Mary was. Notice the freedom with which she expresses her annoyance to Jesus. And isn't it interesting that in response, Jesus doesn't waste time talking about Martha's bad attitude like I might have done. Instead, He talks about priorities.

Martha had a lot going on. Her day planner was full of all sorts of things. They weren't bad things. Feeding people, making sure everyone's comfortable, keeping things neat are all good. There is a higher priority, however. Taking time for spiritual growth has to be the top of the list every time. Martha had let other important things get higher on her daily task list than they should have been.

I've thought about this story many times. It seems so simple. My mind and my heart are attracted to the spirituality of Scriptue. Why then is it so easy for me to rush around taking care of things including people when I first need Christ to show me how to live? People are improtant. Projects are good. Christ is necessary.

No matter how busy my day, there is no shortcut to service. Jesus, my example, began His day with prayer. Quite a bit of prayer. He spent time alone on His connection with Heaven. Without that preparation there would have been no lepers healed, no people fed, no cross on Calvary.

I'm glad for the story. I'm happy for the good news that I can choose the one necessary thing from the day's task list. I'm happy that in Christ I see gentleness and graciousness and salvation in the way that He treats Martha and me.