Discovering The One Necessary Thing

But few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.
Luke 10:42

How do you show God that you love him? You might answer that question by listing the number of times you’ve gone to church. Or attended a Bible study. Or taught a class. Or given an offering.

But in the final analysis, your activities for God aren’t the best barometer of your adoration. Your attitude is! A. W. Tozer explains that God wants more than just your output.

WALK WITH A. W. TOZER
“Some Christians feel it is a mark of spirituality to attend banquets, seminars, workshops, and conferences week after week.

“This brings up a lesson concerning Martha and Mary. I think it is plain that Martha loved Jesus, but her concept of devotion was activity.

“Mary also loved Jesus but with a different attitude in her devotion. She was fervently occupied in spirit with her love for him.

“Our Lord marked the distinction then, and he marks the distinction today.

“Jesus commended Mary for knowing that one thing is necessary—that God should be loved and praised above all other business which may occupy us bodily, mentally, or spiritually.

“He wants first an inner experience of the heart, and from that will grow the profound and divine activities which are necessary.”

WALK CLOSER TO GOD
Slow me down, Lord.

Keep me from becoming so engrossed in working for you that I fail to nurture our relationship.

I have often felt the exhaustion of activity. Let me today experience a bit of the joy Mary felt—the joy of adoration.

Teach me how to say, “I love you, Lord,” while standing still. In the name of him who first demonstrated what the service of worship is all about. Amen.