Yesterday we stood in front of a fig tree with plenty of leaves and nothing to eat.
Today, let's talk about the leaves most of us are proudest of.
Busyness.
Jesus walks into the home of Martha and Mary. Martha does what good hosts do. She gets to work.
Mary sits at Jesus' feet and listens.
Luke says Martha "was distracted with much serving."
Notice, she wasn't doing anything sinful. She was serving Jesus, in her own house, for His benefit.
And she was still missing Him.
Finally she's had enough. "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?"
Jesus answers gently. "Martha, Martha." When you say someone's name twice, something tender is coming.
"You are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed."
Many things. One thing.
That's the tension in most of our lives.
You can fill every night with church. Serve on three teams. Lead a small group. And still be running on empty.
You can do a lot for Jesus and spend very little time with Jesus.
Here's how to tell the difference.
Busyness leaves you resentful. Fruitfulness leaves you grateful.
Busyness says, "Doesn't anybody see how much I'm doing?" Fruitfulness says, "Look what God did."
Busyness runs on your energy. Fruit grows from His life.
Martha's frustration gave her away. When serving makes you bitter toward people who aren't serving, something has shifted. You're no longer working from His presence. You're working for approval.
Let me say this carefully. Jesus isn't against serving. The church needs Marthas. Somebody has to cook.
But Mary chose the part that "will not be taken away from her."
Your activity can be taken away. Age, health, a move, and the role is gone.
What you receive at His feet stays.
And sometimes a full calendar is a hiding place. If I'm always doing, I never have to sit still long enough to hear what God wants to change in me.
So hear Jesus say your name twice today. Not to scold you. To slow you down.
Today's Challenge
Look at your calendar for this week. Circle one activity, even a good one, that you're doing out of pressure or for approval rather than calling, and decide what you'll do about it. Then block 20 minutes on your calendar, like a meeting you can't miss, to sit with Jesus and read Luke 10:38-42. No to-do list. Just listen.
Prayer
Jesus, You know how busy I've been. Some of it has been for You, but not much of it has been with You. Forgive me for confusing motion with fruit. Quiet my worried heart. Teach me to sit at Your feet before I run to the next thing. Today I choose the one thing. In Jesus' name, amen.
Reflection
- Am I doing more for Jesus than I'm spending with Jesus?
- Where has serving made me resentful instead of grateful?
- Is my busyness ever a way to avoid being still before God?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.