January 15, 2024
Melissa Valerio
Luke 10:38-42
“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said. But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.” (NET)
Oh, how easily distracted we can be, just like this scripture describes. So many things are pulling for our attention. Our jobs, our interests, our physical needs, our relationships, our children. They aren’t bad things, by any means. In fact, as a parent, my most important role is being a loving and nurturing mother. But could even this distract me from my time with the Lord? Could I spend so much time trying to meet the needs of others that I neglect the most important relationship? Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the best part. THE BEST. Which meant spending time with Him was the best thing either of them could have done.
So, what does that mean? Totally ignore our other relationships in favor of God? No, I don’t think that’s what it means. I think what Jesus is saying is that our priorities need to be straight and in line with Him, first, before anything else. If He is the most important thing, then naturally our relationship with Him should be the most important one. It doesn’t necessarily mean that we need to despise others in favor of loving Him. Life in this world is a balancing act. Between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Earth we live in. Balancing the two, being in the presence of Jesus long enough to get our fill of His love and grace and mercy. And then going out into the world and sharing it with the people that He’s placed in our lives. James 2:26 states “for just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. “(NET) We believe in the one true God, so our actions should follow suit. Loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength is the most important commandment. And then loving our neighbor is the second most important one. It’s not necessarily one or the other, but both. Our challenge has always been prioritization. This passage of scripture helps us see what is most important. Our time with Him is the best part. So, let’s not take that away from ourselves.
Prayer: Lord God, You said that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from Your mouth. Time with You is a gift. One that we don’t want to waste or regard as petty. Instill in us a longing to sit at Your feet and listen to every word You want to say to us. In Your precious Son’s name, Amen.
Action: Memorize Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”. Life can get busy and hectic. Before you know it, the days, weeks, months, and even years have passed right before our eyes. Let’s be intentional about slowing down and giving some of this time back to God. He ALWAYS has time for us, so let’s give Him the same in return.