One Necessary Thing

 "...but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42

Have you ever had a very important guest stay in your home? It may be someone of great influence or some celebrity. Other people might be envious of you for having such a person staying with you. Of course, you would would want everything perfect; a spotless house and an awesome meal for your honored guest.

Sisters, Mary and Martha had such an important person visiting them, Jesus Christ. Martha is consumed by all the work that is in front of her. She even tries to get Jesus to rebuke Mary for not helping her complete the tasks on her to-do list. "But 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!” Luke 10:40

Martha was not doing anything sinful or wrong but verse 40 tells us she was distracted. She wants to make sure the meal is perfect. She wants to make sure the house is all in order. She wants everything to fall into place to impress and honor Jesus, her houseguest. She is captivated by the work in front of her rather than Jesus, the one who is saving her from her sins.

The trap that Martha falls into is much easier than we might think. We can so easily move throughout our days being very productive in a lot of different areas, but still missing our relationship with Jesus. We wake up in the morning ready to run, we run all day long, and then whatever is left at the end of all the running is what we give to Jesus as we close our eyes and fall asleep. We fill our days with tasks and work that we deem to be absolutely necessary, all the while neglecting the one thing that truly is necessary.

Fulfillment in life will only ever be found in relationship with Jesus. The work and the tasks will certainly need to be done, but there is no reason to get our priorities out of order. Just one thing is needed. Too often we allow the urgent to crowd out the important.

• But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well Matthew 6:33
• In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:6
• He [Jesus] must become more important, but I must become less important.” John 3:30