Hi...My Name is Martha
By Stephanie
LaCasse
“’Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are
worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only
one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
I had a list - - a long list - - of
the tasks I needed to accomplish that morning. I set my alarm a half hour
earlier than normal, so I could get up before the kids and get the tasks
checked off my list before the day began. As I ran back and forth in the living
room, my eyes kept glancing at my Bible on the coffee table. I definitely felt
like I should be sitting down with the Creator, but instead I chose to
rationalize with Him.
Lord…not right
now. I have to get a load of wash in, get the boys’ soccer stuff ready to
go…
And without realizing it, I drowned
Him out. He just didn’t understand that I have so much to do and not enough
time to do it in. You can probably see where I’m going. So many of us struggle
with not being in the Word.
Hi…my name is
Martha, and I’m a workaholic.
I think many of you can relate. There
is too much to do and not enough time. Perhaps you’re familiar with the story
of Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha. Martha was “…distracted by all the
preparations that had to be made.” Jesus didn’t say that the distractions were
not important things. I’m sure they were important as she was preparing a meal
for THE SAVIOR. Can you imagine?!
When Martha laments that Mary is not
helping her (how many of us can relate to that!?), Jesus makes an important
point. He explains that what Mary chose was better. Martha is doing what needs
to be done, but there will always be things that need to be done. It never
ends. But sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to Him, reading His love
letter to us (a.k.a. the Word) and talking to Him….that is what is BETTER. [1]
Today: Spend a few moments with Him.
Silence… Even just a few moments. Listen to Him. Pray to Him. Devote yourself
to Him. Trust me…you won’t be disappointed.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
What are you “distracted” by in your
life? How can you minimize these distractions?
2.
Find a time and place to regularly
spend time with Jesus. Pen it in your calendar, and do not allow anything to
deter you from spending time with your SAVIOR as Mary did.
FURTHER READING:
Stephanie is a mom of three young sons
and wife to Dave, who is currently in seminary preparing for chaplaincy in the
US Army. In her spare time, she’s employed at a law firm.
[1] Luke
10:40-42
