Do you consider yourself to be a doer or one who rests well? By nature I am a doer. It seems one of the only ways I sit still is if I have a book in my hand. When I go home to visit my parents, my mom can just sit outside on the patio and enjoy her surroundings, doing nothing. She seems so peaceful and relaxed. Not me. I am ready to go somewhere or do something. I don’t know that I’ve ever really sat still for long. In fact, I would guess I’m not even still in my sleep.
When I read the story of Jesus coming to the house of Mary and Martha, I relate to Martha buzzing around the house getting everything done [Luke 10:38-42]. I want to be a Mary in my heart and just sit at the feet of Jesus. There are times I have an internal battle going on over what I am doing and what I need to be doing.
As I read through that story last week, the Lord drew my attention to four words found in verse 40: “But Martha was distracted…” I had a profound revelation. The issue Martha had was not taking care of the preparations and serving of Jesus. The issue Martha had was she was distracted. She took her focus off of Jesus and put it on the task at hand. She was consumed by what had to be done around the house instead of being consumed by her Savior.
Nowhere does Jesus tell her to stop with the preparations. He simply points out that Mary is focused on the thing that matters [Luke 10:41-42]. Many have interpreted His comment to Martha as a rebuke. I personally feel it is the response of a loving Shepherd who hates to see His sheep frustrated. “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Don’t allow the enemy to distract you and place your focus on things that have no Kingdom value. Do the necessary tasks before you but do them with your focus on the Lord; then you will choose well.