My time in actual devotions was short today as I continued my preparation for leading the church body in communion tomorrow.
My passage was Luke 10:38-42. This is a very interesting conversation between Jesus and Martha after she had invited Him into her home to teach to those who were with Him. Martha had a sister, Mary who lived with her. While Jesus was teaching, Martha was running all around trying to finalize all the preparations for hosting all that were in her home. Rather than help Martha with all of these preparations, Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to His teaching. Martha was so frustrated with Mary not helping her that she went to Jesus to get His help in petitioning Mary to help her – Jesus’ response was priceless.
“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.”
Luke 10:41-42 [ESV]
I literally chuckled to myself when I read this but after thinking about what Jesus was saying, I became quite convicted about what I let come before my time at the feet of the Lord (in my quiet time with Him each day). “One thing is necessary, and Mary has CHOSEN the good portion…” There is no doubt that what Martha was doing was important but listening to the Lord was more important still. It will be awfully hard to say ‘Yes’ to that other thing that is vying for my time before my time with the Lord in His word each day.
Amen!