Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Don’t Miss the Main Course
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“…the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed…’”
Luke 10:41

Imagine that you have a close friend that lives far away. You finally get the opportunity to visit her in person, for one evening. If you’re like me, you are excited. You’re thinking about what you want to talk about with her. You’ve got pictures of your family and stories in your head ready to share. You anticipate sitting down and spending quality time with your friend.

Now imagine that when you arrive, she has gotten all caught up in making everything “perfect” for your visit. She has a four-course meal in progress, is frantically cleaning the dust bunnies from under the furniture, and cutting fresh flowers for your room. She’s so busy getting everything perfectly ready that she is exhausted…too tired to enjoy conversation over the beautiful meal she prepared…too sleepy to stay up late for “girl talk.” You leave the next morning feeling disappointed. You didn’t care about how the house looked or what you ate. You just wanted time with her.

In Luke 10, the story is told of Mary and Martha. Jesus comes to visit their home. Can you imagine the thrill of that? Martha goes completely into preparation overdrive, getting all the tasks completed for hosting Jesus and the entourage that was with Him. Mary, however, sits at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He has to say. Martha gets upset with Mary and wants Jesus to tell Mary to get up and help her. Jesus tells Martha, “You’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing is essential, and Mary has chosen it…it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her” (MSG).

I read recently, “If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” That principle is certainly at work here. Martha wasn’t wrong in wanting to provide for her guests. She had the best of intentions in seeing to Jesus’ comfort. She just went too far and got too wrapped up in her work…and not wrapped up enough in Whom the work was for. All Jesus wanted was to spend time with her, to teach her His ways. Martha was so busy that she nearly missed the Main Course.

It is the same with us today. Jesus wants us to make Him the priority. If we are too busy, we’ll miss the Main Course, too.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you find yourself putting preparation ahead of people, or in front of God? Pray that God shows you how He would have you prioritize.

FURTHER READING:
Luke 10:36-42; Psalm 34: 8-10; Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver

Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves as a small group leader for Wednesday p.m. Bible study, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.
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