Now while they were on their way, Jesus entered a village [called Bethany], and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching. But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.” But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (AMP)
Whenever I happen to hear the story of Mary and Martha I cannot help but sympathize with Martha because there are many times when I feel just like her. I have found it is easy to sympathize with her because of constant busyness. Between going to college full time in a very strenuous business program, work, seemingly never ending church responsibilities and creative commitments, I often feel that I never get a break.
I’ve noticed that the busier I get the more I must create intentional time for Jesus and truly put Him first in my life. So many times I can become so focused on serving that I forget to simply sit at the feet of Jesus and let Him minister to me. I never want to become so busy doing the work of Jesus that I forget the reason that I live for him.
Morning devotions are really the greatest gift you can give yourself to allow Jesus to minister to your heart before the busyness of life kicks in. I can always tell a difference if I become “too busy” to sit at the feet of Jesus and let him speak to my heart. If by chance you, like this perpetually stressed out college student, find yourself continually overwhelmed, cast your cares, your worries, your burdens and your frustrations upon him. I assure you Jesus, and only Jesus, can handle it all.
Make a conscious decision today, tomorrow, this whole week, to be like Mary. Don’t allow busyness to consume your life. Put Jesus first, because He truly cares about the seemingly insignificant details of your life. Let Him direct each and every season of your life, even the crazy busy ones. Sit at the feet of Jesus: there’s always room and He is never too busy for you.
