“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.” (Psalm 27:4)
Doing good. Serving others. So many needs out there!
“Lord! I’m serving you, but I can’t seem to get everything done. I’m worn out! Send workers to help me!”
That’s been my reaction many times.
One day, Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and began preparing a meal for Jesus and those with Him.
Captivated by what Jesus was saying, Mary sat at His feet and hung on every word.
Martha poked her head into the room, caught a word or two of what Jesus was saying, spotted Mary, then hurried off to make sure that the bread was baking and the meat was roasting.
A few minutes later, she peeked into the room and found Mary still sitting at Jesus’ feet.
“‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?
Tell her then to help me.“
Have you been frustrated that there are Marys taking in all that Jesus has to say while you’re working hard to serve them?
Perhaps the questions that Martha should have asked are “Lord, are you pleased with Mary soaking in your teaching? Do you want me to sit at your feet first, and then Mary and I can make dinner?”
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her,” Luke 10:40-42.
The good portion: beholding the beauty of the Lord, learning from Him, basking in His light and truth.
First, savor Jesus, then savor service. Click To Tweet“The Martha spirit says, if the work is done, is not that all? The Mary spirit asks whether Jesus is well pleased or no? All must be done in his name and by his Spirit, or nothing is done.” (Spurgeon)
Father, thank You for showing us what pleases You. Lead us into Your presence to behold Your beauty, to learn of Your ways, and to choose the good portion. Anoint the works that flow from time spent in Your presence. We magnify Your glory and long to please You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Please share how you sit at the feet of Jesus and behold His glory in the Comments below.
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2 responses to “Troubled by Many Things?”
[…] “Have you been frustrated that there are Marys taking in all that Jesus has to say while you’re working hard to serve them?” (Possess His Promises) […]
Really enjoy the Spurgeon quote!!!! There’s a podcast by SetApartGirl I listened to called People Pleasing and it talked about how Jesus rebuked Martha not for her serving, but because she was stressed, relying on her own strength. That really spoke to me. God bless you!