Part 3 of 7 in the series Appointment With God
Young woman, this one is for you.
The house in Bethany was full that day. Guests to feed, pots on the fire, a table to prepare. “A certain woman named Martha received him into her house.” (Luke 10:38) She wanted to do it well.
Her sister Mary did something different. “And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.” (Luke 10:39) While the kitchen was loud, Mary was still.
Martha felt it. “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.” (Luke 10:40)
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Luke 10:41-42
Jesus did not scold the serving
Notice what He said. He didn’t tell Martha to stop caring for people. He named what was happening inside her. She was careful and troubled about many things. Her hands were working and her heart was divided.
You may know that feeling. Lectures, work, family expectations, group chats, a phone that lights up every minute, and a feed that tells you everyone else is further ahead. Many things.
Jesus said one thing is needful, and Mary chose it. Then He added a promise. It “shall not be taken away from her.” Deadlines will pass. Trends will pass. What you receive at His feet stays.
Put the one thing on the calendar
Mary’s choice looked easy, but it was a choice. Nobody drifts to the feet of Jesus by accident. That is why an appointment matters. It decides ahead of time what the noise cannot decide for you.
- Choose ten minutes before the day gets loud.
- Put your phone on silent and in another room.
- Open one chapter of Luke and read slowly.
- Sit. Don’t rush to a request list. Listen first, like Mary.
David wrote, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD.” (Psalm 27:4) And Jesus gave the order of life in one line: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Sit down, sister. The table can wait ten minutes.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, quiet the many things inside me. Teach me to choose the good part. Meet me at the same hour each day, and let what I receive at Your feet go with me into everything else. Amen.