“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
It seems that the Lord frequently asks me the question whether I am being a “Martha” or a “Mary.” If Jesus were to physically walk into your house right now and comment on the condition of your soul, what would He say? More often than I would like to admit, He uses the same words to me as He did to Martha: “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” What is interesting is that if we take the time to “sit at the feet of Jesus” and SURRENDER everything to Him, then our worries would leave. When we stop and focus on our Savior and listen to Him through the Word and through an attentive spirit when we are praying, we will hear the sweet assurance that He is in control of our lives (Romans 8:28); nothing is impossible for Him (Luke 1:37); and He will give us the strength and provisions we need to do His will (Philippians 4:13, 19).
What does it mean to sit at the Lord’s feet and listen to what He says? Before I answer this, I want to note that Martha came to Jesus with her troubles. She came to Him with two complaints. First she accused Him of not caring about her: “don’t you care. . .” Then she complained that her sister left her to do all the work. If we are not careful, when we have busy times in our lives, we may spend our “prayer time” just complaining. Think about the things you have been praying lately. Do they reflect a heart of faith in God’s perfect love, grace and kindness towards you? Or, is there an underlying feeling that the Lord has overlooked you or is unfair to you? Are your prayers more about asking God to change others around you in order to help your life be easier?
Do you come to Jesus as Mary did with an attentive ear to learn anything new that He wants to tell you?
Jesus was well pleased with Mary and let Martha know that “only one thing is needed.” That one thing is to open our ears and our heart to learn whatever He has for us each day. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).
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