While they were traveling, He entered a village and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.”
The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”    Luke 10:38-42 HCSB

Yesterday, you may have had friends and family over to celebrate Independence Day as we did. It takes a lot to organize a large get together and it helps if you have plenty of time to plan it. But imagine Jesus shows up at your house. We know He traveled with His disciples, so that may have added an additional 12 to the guest list. There is nothing to indicate in this scripture that this was a planned visit. It sounds as though He simply went into this village and Martha welcomed Him into her home.

While Mary’s sister sat at Jesus’ feet and was focused on Him, Martha was busy preparing a meal, maybe serving some drinks to these travelers. She was so busy serving that her focus was on serving and not on the guest in her home. She had Jesus Christ, Himself, in her home and she was too busy serving Him to sit and spend time with Him. Yet, there is her sister, Mary just sitting there soaking up Jesus’ presence. I can just imagine that she was listening intently to all He had to say and hanging on His every word while Martha slaved away.

I love what Jesus tells Martha when she complains to Him that Mary is not getting any work done. She actually tells Jesus to instruct Mary to get up and help her. She’s gotten so distracted, she thinks she can tell Jesus what to do! But, Jesus simply reminds her that she is worried and upset about many things. Many things she concerns herself with are not necessary, but one thing is, this is focusing on Him. Mary has chosen to focus on Jesus and He explains to Martha that Mary has made the right choice.

Are you running through so many motions of serving the Lord that you have failed to focus on Him? Often times we start off focusing on God and then we begin to serve Him which is good. But, if we are not careful the devil can use this as a distraction technique. He can get us busy serving and then he can start pointing out who is not serving or doing as we think they should do. He can use this to sow discord among members. He can use this to distract us from focusing on God. We must be careful that we have made the right choice.

Of course it is always good to serve the Lord. There is always plenty of work to be done but our first priority should be to focus on God. We should be sure that we are hearing what He says to us through His word. We can’t hear what He says to us if we never read the Bible. We should be talking to Him and communicating with Him through prayer. We should pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Ephesians 6:18, Romans 12:12). Just the other day we talked about considering God in all our ways. This means that we stay in constant communication with Him and consult Him in all we do. Are you doing that? Or are you so busy you just don’t have time for Jesus?

When we put Jesus first and focus on Him, He will guide and direct us and help us to accomplish the things we need to do (Matthew 6:33). God has a purpose for each and every one of us. He has provided us with spiritual gifts so that we can accomplish what He has called us to do. When He calls us to do something, He will provide all we need to do it. But, we can get so busy doing that we can fail to hear His calling.

Have you made the right choice? Do you put God first? Do yo do what He wants you to do? Or do you get distracted? God never intended for one person to do everything. He has a purpose for each and every one of us. Stay in constant communication with Him through prayer and Bible study. He will make it very clear to you what He wants you to do. There may even be times when He simply calls you to be still (Psalm 46:10).

Have you made the right choice?

Have a great day!