“And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41, 42

Martha, Martha!

There really is “nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). I can so relate to Martha’s “busyness” and concern regarding the things for which she is responsible. In her day it was not an easy task to get a meal prepared to serve her guests while at the same time trying to be a gracious hostess. She could not simply trot down to the local supermarket and pick up pre-packaged groceries like we can today. There were no microwaves or shortcuts to accomplish what must have been, in her day, an overwhelming duty.

Even though today we have many conveniences and timesaving devices to make our chores easier, faster and more efficient, all that extra time is often wasted. Many times I begin to faithfully read the Word, pray, then get distracted, just like Martha did way back then. Nothing new there!

No matter what age we live in, there will always be something to distract us or cause us to be worried and troubled. We live in a busy, noisy world! Our minds are constantly being bombarded, and often polluted, with all manner of information and entertainment. Those things that take my thoughts, time and energy away from what rightfully belong to Him alone are nothing more than idols. Yikes! My heart can become like the soil Jesus talked about in Matthew 13:7, thorns which spring up and choke out the good seed that was planted there.

Although I have been critical of those who constantly engage in social media, tweeting, texting, etc., I have been guilty of the same thing myself. Seems I have to be actively engaged in some form of mental or physical activity or entertainment. Although my choices of activities are not harmful or unhealthy in themselves, and I know He can speak while I am doing chores and such, I believe He has so much more for me.

He wants to draw each of us into a more intimate, loving relationship with Him, to give us His heart and reveal ours. He is calling me to prioritize my time in order to cultivate and develop the self-discipline of just being still as commanded in Psalm 46:10a, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Can anyone else relate to this struggle, this constant drive to go, go, go and do, do, do?

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O, God” (Psalm 42:1).

“Lord, I am weary of the world’s worry and trouble with all of its drama and commotion. Help me to be more like Mary so I can be about Your business! Amen!”