“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed, or indeed only one.” Luke 10:41-42
This past Saturday morning, I sat with a cup of coffee and nowhere pressing to be. The fireplace crackled, the dogs were settled, and for a few moments the world felt quiet. So, I allowed myself to fall quiet too. As I watched the flames and savored the coffee, thoughts crowded my mind.
Thoughts of guilt.
There were dishes that could be washed, words that could be written, errands that could be run, and a hundred other things competing for attention. Rest can feel uncomfortable when we’ve grown used to measuring our worth by productivity.
As I sat there, I thought about Mary and Martha. Martha wasn’t doing anything wrong. She was serving. She was working. She was taking care of what needed to be done. Yet while Martha hurried from one task to another, Mary simply sat at Jesus’ feet.
Jesus didn’t criticize Martha’s work. He gently reminded her that she was worried and distracted by many things while Mary had chosen what was most important.
How often do we do the same?
We rush from responsibility to responsibility, carrying burdens God never asked us to carry. We fill every quiet moment with activity. We treat rest as something to earn instead of a gift to receive.
Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is stop.
Just long enough to sit in God’s presence and remember that the world keeps turning without our help.
A slow Saturday reminded me that God is not waiting for my next accomplishment. He is simply inviting me to be with Him.
Maybe today you need permission to set the to-do list aside for a few minutes. Pour a cup of coffee. Sit by the window. Open your Bible. Take a breath.
For a little while, choose to be Mary.
God will take care of Martha’s list.
If this Mustard Seed encouraged you, consider sharing it with a friend. Together we can spread the gift of Jesus, one seed at a time.
