One Thing Is Needful. . .

There have been many sermons over time about the two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha was busy about the necessities of a houseful of guests and visitors, while Mary sat at Jesus feet as He taught.

Jesus said of Martha that she was "careful and troubled about many things, But one thing is needful". He went on to say, "Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. " (Luke 10:41,42) It is easy to read this passage and agree that Mary had chosen well -- of course, sitting at Jesus' feet is the best, the only thing-- it's easy to see that. Unless you are Martha.

I am at a time in my life right now where it is very tempting to be Martha. The temptation is to be "careful and troubled about many things." There are multiple deadlines at work, multiple things at home that need timely and careful attention, things that just live on the perpetual "to-do" list, routine maintenance things of both home, health and work that all call out for my time, my thought, my attention. I scarcely feel like I have time for a deep breath.

Isn't it in times when we go from "everybody knows your name", to everybody is calling your name, that we tend to forget the one thing that is needful? That one thing that is the anchor, the bedrock, the basis and it is so easily the thing, at least in my life that I seem to not find time for. "I'll do that in a minute. . . this afternoon. . . tonight. . .tomorrow." Time with the Lord: time in the Scriptures, time in prayer, fellowship with other believers, seems to take the back burner.

But maybe Mary knew something that Martha and I haven't grasped yet. Maybe she knew that to sit at Jesus' feet for a few minutes would make her heart less "careful and troubled" and she would be more efficient and able to do those other "less needful" things.

How many minutes do I waste thinking about how busy I am? Or making another list about how much I have to do? Perhaps beginning with the One who is the Beginning and Ending of all things would keep me from concentrating on the busy-ness and help me to concentrate on business. In doing so, I would procure the promise, that I have "chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7)