In Luke 10:41-42 I read, “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.'” (NIV)
As Christmas approaches, I need to simplify my life, doing less, not more. By simplifying my life, I’ll have more enjoyment, more fulfillment, and less stress.
At one of the busiest times of the year, I need to make sure I’m filling my calendar, my mind, and my heart with what’s important, not trivial things that won’t even matter in five years, much less for eternity.
The trivial things I’m talking about are not evil things. I can fill my life with good things that keep me from spending time with God. I can be involved in ministry all the time and be so busy working for God that I don’t leave God any time to work within me.
An example of this is Mary and Martha, who were sisters and also friends of Jesus. One day they invited him to their home for a meal. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to his teaching. Martha was busy worrying about the food and making sure everything was in place.
Doesn’t that sound like Christmas? We spend months buying and wrapping gifts, decorating the house, putting up the lights, fixing the tree, sending out the cards, preparing the meals, planning parties. Then, when Christmas arrives, we realize we were so busy with the preparation that we didn’t make any time for Jesus.
“Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘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’” (Luke 10:40-42 NIV).
Mary knew there was one thing worth her time: getting to know the Son of God.
Nothing else will matter in eternity. God didn’t put you on Earth just to work and then retire. He put me here so I can get to know him.
This Christmas I need to stop, take a breath, and shift my focus to the one thing that matters most in this life: Jesus.
In summary, Jesus told Martha, ‘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.' As Christmas approaches, I need to simplify my life, I’ll have more enjoyment, more fulfillment, and less stress. I need to only fill my calendar, mind, and heart with what’s important, not trivial things that won’t even matter in five years, much less for eternity. The trivial things are not evil. I can fill my life with good things that keep me from spending time with God. I can be so busy working for God that I don’t leave God any time to work within me. An example of this is Mary and Martha. Martha was busy worrying about the food and making sure everything was in place. Doesn’t that sound like Christmas? We are busy with all the preparations. Then, when Christmas arrives, we realize we were so busy with the preparation that we didn’t make any time for Jesus. Mary knew there was one thing worth her time: getting to know the Son of God. Nothing else will matter in eternity. God didn’t put you on Earth just to work and then retire. He put me here so I can get to know him. So I need to stop, take a breath, and shift my focus to the one thing that matters most in this life: Jesus.
Martha didn't realize that in her desire to serve, she was actually neglecting her guest. Am I so busy doing things for Jesus that I'm not spending time with him? I should not let my service become self-serving. Jesus didn't blame her for being concerned about household chores. He was only asking her to set priorities. Service to Christ can degenerate into mere busywork that is totally devoid of devotion to God.
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