At the Home of Martha and Mary:
"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 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 bymyself? Tell her to help me!" "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 10:38:42 NIV
Picture it ... you have the Lord Jesus Christ in your home, the excitement of which is probably overwhelming, and you yearn to impress him, to show him a feast worthy of Him... so you begin the preparations the moment He enters your home -you are honored He chose YOUR HOME; you are amazed He is there... but you miss the most important opportunity - to sit at His feet and learn; to sit at his feet and feel that peace; to sit at his feet and know that you are growing in faith. But wait, the bread has not been baked, the floor has not been swept, your children left a mess after breakfast, you haven't washed clothes or linens yet... there is so much to do, and your sister isn't helping you (isn't that just like her... geesh). Knowing Christ is famished after such a journey, you want to prepare your home and this meal, FAST. You tell him to tell her to help you... but He sure does tell you doesn't he!
This was me yesterday - so bogged down by what I had to accomplish, so weighed down by the 'things' on my to-do list. Although I spent my morning with Christ in fellowship - it ended there. :( Sure, I prayed throughout the day - "Lord, get me through this day," but I wasn't trusting that my time was blessed.
Only one thing is NEEDED - not wanted, not suggested, but NEEDED - to trust in the time you have with Christ... and it will NOT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HER! Her time was blessed, she was growing in the knowledge of Christ, of God's promises for her, and that time was not going to be taken from her. I may want to prepare the feast, but God wants me to recognize His glory. Only one thing was NEEDED - time at the feet of Christ, in purposeful fellowship with the Spirit, praising God.
Yesterday, I made the choice to be a Martha; TODAY, I CHOOSE TO BE MARY. I won't be lazing around sitting on the floor; I will still do the things I am responsible for, I will work; I will prepare food for my family; I will drive my children where they are scheduled to be; I will attend the meet; but I will first and foremost praise God, learn from His Word, and be in fellowship with Him.
Today, I choose to be Mary.
