Luke 10:38-42

Be still: Lord, still my heart in your presence today. Open my eyes to see you afresh and my ears to hear you speaking through your Word. Amen

Read: Luke 10:38-42

'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.’ (vv41-42)

Encounter: I can certainly relate to being busy. Life is busy. There’s always something to do, somewhere to be, someone to contact.

Martha understood that feeling well. She wasn’t doing anything wrong – she was serving Jesus, being hospitable and responsible. But somewhere along the way, her serving became striving. She became so distracted by what she was doing for Jesus that she stopped simply being with him.

Jesus said, ‘Mary has chosen what is better.’ Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and gave him her attention. She simply wanted to be near him.

Jesus’ response is so gentle and yet exposing: ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed - or indeed only one.’ Jesus wasn’t dismissing Martha’s responsibilities. He was lovingly pointing out that her heart had become consumed by many things, while missing the most important thing (person) in front of her. 

Our world constantly fights for our attention. Notifications, noise, deadlines, distractions. Sometimes it’s hard to be fully present - to not be mentally dragged to the next thing demanding our attention. We spend so much time achieving, scrolling, planning, and rushing that we leave little room to simply sit with Jesus. To be still. To listen. To let him speak.

Maybe Jesus would say something similar to many of us today: You are worried and distracted by many things. Jesus lovingly invites us to be present, to focus on what matters most, and before he asks us to do anything for him, he simply wants us near. 

Apply: Take a moment to slow down and be still before Jesus. What is distracting your attention right now? What would it look like to give him your full attention this week - not just doing things for him, but simply being with him? The value in sitting at his feet and waiting on him, is far greater than another tick on a to-do list.

Devote: Lord, help me to slow down and make space for you. Teach me to be still, to listen, and to prioritise your presence above all else.