THE RIGHT CHOICE
Luke 10:38-42 CSB
38 While they were traveling, he entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet and was listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand."
41 The Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her."
This is the account of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Jesus was welcomed into Martha's home, and she got busy preparing a meal. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and was listening to Him speak. Martha was upset that Mary was not helping and actually accused the Lord of not caring. Jesus did not take up her cause but instead commended Mary for making the right choice in sitting and hearing His words.
Some have used this account as an excuse to not serve the Lord in His work. Their reason is that they are sitting at His feet and hearing His word. But that excuse really doesn't hold up. There were many times that the Lord gave His disciples tasks. Go find the donkey. Go set up the room for the Passover supper. Go distribute the bread and fish to the people after you ask them to sit down. Go into town and buy food. There were always things that had to be done. But there is a time to listen also.
We have no indication that Jesus asked Martha to prepare a meal. But we do see that Jesus is speaking, and it must not have been casual conversation because Mary was sitting at His feet listening to Him speak. Jesus must have been sharing truths that were significant, and Mary placed importance on hearing His words. Mary was not being lazy. Mary wanted to hear what Jesus said and placed great value on His words. If Mary had been out of line by listening instead of helping her sister, Jesus would have noted that. Instead, Jesus said Mary's choice would not be taken away from her.
Martha, on the other hand, was distracted with serving. There is a time to serve and a time to listen. There was nothing wrong with Martha wanting to make a meal, but it wasn't time for that. The most important thing at that time was receiving the spiritual meal that Jesus was giving. Remember, Jesus knew quite well that man does not live by bread alone but by every word of God. And we can tell that Martha was off by the fact that she, in effect, accused the Lord of not caring and told Him what He needed to be doing. Neither of those is a good choice.
APPLICATION
I strongly urge all The Ark's staff to make sure they are in a service. We ask all our volunteers to attend a service. I am not saying my words are as important as Jesus', but I also know that there is a time to serve and a time to listen. The very best option is to do both. Invest time in listening to God's Word. You can do this daily in your devotional time. You can listen to scriptures or messages during drive times. Making time to hear God's Word is always the right choice.
You can find a way to serve the Lord with your time. We are all busy, but whatever we do for the Lord is not wasted. I don't have time to delve into serving the Lord on your job, but that is also an important service. Listen to His words. Serve His kingdom and don't substitute one for the other.
PRAYER
Thank You for Your words, Lord. They are spiritual food to me. And thank You that I can serve You and advance Your kingdom. That also has value in this life and the next.