Martha, Martha
“But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”Luke 10:40–42 (KJV)
Martha was doing a good thing. She opened her home to Jesus and worked hard to serve him. But somewhere along the way, the serving went sour. “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?”
Jesus answered gently, saying her name twice: “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Notice what he named. Not her work. Her worry. She was doing good work from an anxious heart, and it pulled her away from the very person she was serving.
That can happen in any job, even ministry. If your work has started to feel like resentment, stop and sit at his feet for a few minutes. The work will still be there. The one thing needful is him.
Read it yourself
Read Luke 10:38–42. Where was Mary while Martha served?
Is your work coming from love or from worry right now?
Lord, when I am careful and troubled about many things, call my name and bring me back to you. Amen.