Do you read and study God’s Word on a daily basis? That used to be a real struggle for me, but once I began to seek regular time with the Lord, my life drastically changed. My marriage improved, my relationships grew, and I began to experience real joy and peace in my life. That’s what having a relationship with Jesus is all about.
At His Feet: Women Who Choose the Better Thing
When I first gave my life to Jesus as a college student, I would spend hours in the evenings on the floor of my room, studying the Bible, praying, and listening to Christian music. For the first time in my life, I felt as if I had real purpose and acceptance. I treasured that time I spent each evening at His feet.
Then I graduated, started teaching, and got married (all in the same year!), and life got incredibly busy. All of a sudden I had people other than Jesus who wanted my time and attention. The distractions left me anxious and upset, and my time with Jesus became less and less. I wanted to be with Him, but I struggled to find the time for Him.
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.”
Luke 10:38, NIV 84
Do you ever have really good intentions to spend time with Jesus, but then get so distracted that you can’t even hear what He’s saying? I feel for Martha. She invited the Savior to her house for a good reason: She wanted to spend time with Him, serve Him, and worship Him.
Good Intentions
But then again, hosting Jesus and the disciples would have been no small task. I don’t know how big her house was or if all her dishes were clean, but I would have a hard time feeding thirteen men at my house right now. All of a sudden, Martha’s mental state goes from seeking Jesus to seeking a plan.
Some of you are smiling right now because you can’t even count how many times your prayer list turned into a to-do list. Or how many times you planned to get up early to seek Him, but your kids decided to get up early too.
“She had a sister called Mary who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 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?'”
Luke 10:39-40
(I love this part.)
“‘Tell her to help me!'”
Luke 10:40b
Yep. That’s what happens. We end up cranky and irritable and taking it out on everyone around us. I’ve been there. The problem is that we are really upset with ourselves, because we know that deep down it’s just a matter of priorities. We all have the same twenty-four hours in a day, and we all make our own schedules.
Making Space
Granted, at different seasons of life, our days can look totally different. Parenting small children may require seeking Him in the middle of nap time. Or in the middle of the night. Caring for a sick family member may mean that our time with the Lord is at a different time every day. I’ve been there, too. But no matter the time or the season, we can choose the better thing.
“‘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 10:41-42
The Better Thing
I love the Lord’s tender response to Martha. I can almost see Him patting the floor next to Mary, offering Martha a place at His feet. Because that is the place where, at least for a moment, schedules and baths and laundry take a brief backseat. Oh, I know they are important, but they find a way of all coming together in just the right manner at His feet.
Are you worried and upset about many things, finding yourself distracted and maybe even bitter at those who seem to have it all together? Hear the Lord’s tender invitation to you. Leave the dishes in the sink and come away with Him for a little bit. You will find yourself longing for more of Him, and that which we long for, we will find time for.
Only one thing is needed. Choose the better thing.