One Thing

(Photo: Sisters - Paula and Jennifer, 1966 and 2009)

Luke 10:38 - Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered (drag all around) 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. ⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful (to be anxious about) and troubled (to make “turbid”, that is, disturb) about many things:

⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

I have heard many sermons, lessons, and even read a book written on the subject of the Bible sisters, Mary and Martha.  Each time I focused on the verbs: cumbered, chosen, sat, served, etc… This time the nouns came to life.  “many things”, “one thing”, “good part”.  My sister Paula is great at both - sitting and serving - hey, that's another lesson...

My multi-tasking, spin-the-plates, run the bases, check the checklist, “last one there is a rotten egg” schedule can be a real bother.  Not to mention the doctor visits, vitamins, naps, and overall crankiness that comes with the schedule – just ask my family.  After reading these verses over and over this weekend, I decided to whole-heartedly apply the truth that I learned.  This was sort of a strange time to take it to heart – spirit week at the college, Spring campaign week one, Easter, Pentecost soul-winning campaign, and life in general, but try I did.

Here’s the truth:  Trade “many things” for “one thing!”  That sounds like a backwards deal doesn’t it?  My first and primary job each day is "sitting at Jesus' feet" - I like that "to do" list! Then all of the "many things" will fall into their place. Jesus said that Mary had chosen "that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."  What a promise.

“Sitting at Jesus’ feet” is not just reading the Bible or praying, it is an attitude of the heart and soul.  It is taking “one thing”  - sitting at His feet, which puts all else in perspective, and taking it through the day as we take on each task. Not to say we cannot do many things, we just have His help and power, which comes with…peace.
 

When we go “to the kitchen” and leave our time with Him behind, our “many things” will become scrambled, tossed, some left undone, and “trouble” and “bother” will be on our shoulders.  Our souls will be disturbed and we will have a feeling of anxiety (hence anti-depression drugs…).

When I got to church on Easter Sunday I really enjoyed myself in spite of the “busyness."  Teaching Sunday School, playing each song, practicing, meeting people, greeting people, etc…was not a blur, but a way to see God working in my life and in others.

Our “one thing” is sitting at Jesus’ feet, not “running around like a you know what” as my Dad used to say. 

Some might say you’re not in a rush, nothing bothers you, you don’t have a care in the world – wow, what a way to live!

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you."