Luke 10:38-42 (NRSV)
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."
Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
- Matthew 6:33 (NRSV)
WE live in a world driven by the desire for power, applause, and popularity. We cram as much as we can into a single 24-hour period in order to be as productive as possible. Influenced by this mentality and consumed with the drive for success, we often forget how to let God work in our lives.
Luke 10:38-42 tells the story of Mary and Martha. Martha is distracted with dinner preparations while Mary is at the feet of Jesus. Martha is worried about having the meal perfect for her guest, while Mary is content to set aside the preparations in order to spend time with Jesus.
How many times have we been like Martha and so busied ourselves with being productive that we failed to prepare our hearts to be in Christ's presence? While the world says, "Go! Accomplish! Succeed!" Jesus says, "Come and rest; listen to me." When, like Mary, we learn to be still in the presence of the Lord, God, "by the power at work within us," comes and empowers us to "accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20).
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, help us to find our meaning in you and not in what we accomplish. Help us to rest in you. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Take time each day to be still in the presence of Christ.
PRAYER FOCUS:
Those too busy to rest
By Beth Templeton, Oregon
