Choose What is Better
By
Brita Crouse
“‘Martha,
Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but
only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be
taken away from her.’”
Luke
10:41-42 (NIV)
Last year, my parents
celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. So, as a present, I wanted to
appropriately celebrate with a surprise party. I spent weeks planning out details
and delegating tasks to my very helpful family and friends. The day of the
party was spent setting up tables and place settings, making and putting out
food, decorating, checking sound equipment and the projection screen, and
making sure everyone was in the right place at the right time. In the end, my
parents were surprised and enjoyed celebrating this momentous occasion with
people they loved.
As for me, I enjoyed
the organizing and planning that this kind of event required. But, I spent much
of the party keeping the music playing or refilling food or getting the
slideshow started or making sure everyone was well-fed and having a good time.
In focusing so much on these details, I found myself losing sight of what the
celebration was about. I had to keep reminding myself to just sit down and
enjoy the people around me.
It’s important to note
that an organized nature is not inherently bad; it’s part of how God made some
of us. It’s when this love of planning and organization grows greater than our
love for God and for people that this passion becomes a problem.
In many ways I find
myself relating to Martha, Mary’s sister. When Jesus comes to visit, to teach
and eat, Martha gets caught up in the preparations, while Mary spends her time
intently listening to Jesus. Martha sees Mary as being lazy because she is not
helping hostess. I’m sure Mary saw Martha as being too tightly wound and wished
she would just relax and listen to what Jesus had to say.
I am always “that
person” who has to clean up or have everything in order before I can enjoy
myself. Sometimes, though, I just need to relax and be with people or spend
time with God instead. Life can be crazy and hectic and overwhelming, but it’s
always worth it to take a minute to remember the big picture and think about
why we are really here on Earth.
It is never a waste to
spend more time with people or with God, so choose what is better.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Who do you relate to
in the above passage? What are ways you can find a balance between the two personalities
in your everyday life?
2. Make it your prayer
today to “choose what is better.”
FURTHER READING:
Brita
is currently working toward her Master’s in Counseling at the University of
Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has called Oakwood her home church for the past
seventeen years.
