Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Luke 10:38-42 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

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Reflect

From the way the Luke records this account, we get the impression that Martha was the head of this household. It was primarily her responsibility to make sure that guests were properly entertained. And on this day, they were having a very special guest indeed. Jesus was coming to dinner with them.

Right in the middle of all Martha’s fussing she has one of those, “Hey wait a minute” moments and realizes that her sister Mary has done nothing to help all day. Going straight to the honored guest, Martha pleads her case. Her line translates literally, “Jesus, tell Mary to grab her end of this thing!” In other words, Mary isn’t holding up her end of the responsibility.
Have you felt that way? Have you been in a situation where you felt like you’re the only one doing any work? It happens all the time, even in the church.

There’s an old adage that says, “Twenty percent of the people do eighty percent of the work and eighty percent of the people do twenty percent of the work.” If you’re feeling that way, it might be that you need to take some time to smell the roses.

 

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Pray

Jesus Christ, may we not get so caught up in the busy-ness of our lives that we forget what we are really working for.

Go with God!