One True Work
[Jesus said,] “There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her.” Luke 10:42
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In the story of Mary and Martha we see not only how busy Martha is with preparations for dinner but also her frustration because Mary is sitting with Jesus instead of helping her. However, as much as Martha yearned for her sister’s help, her words to the Lord indicate an even greater problem: she could not control Mary. She went to the Lord saying, “Tell her to come and help me,” in hopes that he would get Mary to do as Martha wanted.
So often, the Martha in us tries to control another person’s choices, especially if we would benefit in some way, but we find ourselves in the same flustered state Martha was in. Mary wisely chose listening to the Lord over any service she may have done for him at that particular time. She was also living beyond her sister’s control and was discovering the one true work worth being concerned about—sitting at the feet of Jesus. What concerns you? The time we spend in prayer means more to him than any other work we could ever do. Jesus desires that we “sit at his feet” daily in prayer and learn from his infinite supply of love and knowledge.
Prayers:
LORD, I want to be like Mary, to rest in your presence and converse with you. Help me to discover today what it is like to lay aside everything else and focus on you. Without these times alone with you, my spirit would surely be dry and weary. I love you and need your guidance on how to spend time alone with you every single day.
Quotes:
Prayer is not the opposite of work; it does not paralyze activity. Rather, prayer itself is the greatest work; it works mightily.
E. M. Bounds (1835–1913)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Deuteronomy 26:1–27:26; Luke 10:38–11:13; Psalm 76:1-12 and Proverbs 12:15-17.
