Busy, But Missing What is Most Important

Martha was busy missing what was most important

Mary and Martha were followers of Jesus. They hosted the Lord one day and as Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, Martha busied herself with serving her guests. (Find this in Luke 10:38-42.)

Martha soon became irritated with Mary because she was ignoring her responsibilities to her guests. She complained to Jesus and hinted that Jesus should rebuke her sister, Mary, and send her off to serve her guests. But Jesus saw it another way.

Jesus said that Mary actually chose wisely. Martha was the one with the problem. It is not wrong to serve guests, but some better activity could have been chosen. She had Jesus in her house but instead of sitting to learn from Him, she busied herself with many worries and troubles.

Martha was still in the vicinity of Jesus. She was walking all around and serving diligently. But she missed the most important thing. She failed to realize why she was there in the first place.

Men, when you serve in worship, remember not to get caught up in the serving to the exclusion of the purpose. I fight this as a preacher. Most of the activities we do in worship are completed before I speak. It is a great temptation to be like Martha and fret or worry over what I'm about to say. I find myself reviewing notes instead of thinking about the song I just sang. 

It is much worse when people are nervous and afraid of being up in public. For you men who lead prayer or serve at the Lord's Table and are nervous, try to put such fears from your mind and remember why you are there serving in the first place.

The same certainly applies to you ladies too, in different contexts.

There are often things that go on in church buildings surrounding the worship of God - things that tend to take away from our worship. These things could be something simple like an upcoming meal that needs to be heated. Instead of fretting and worrying and leaving early, remember why you are there in the first place. If people have to wait five more minutes for a meal so that you can worship God and get all you can out of the short time in the assembly, then they can just wait five more minutes!

Whatever it is that takes our minds off God needs to be set aside when we come to worship Him. Don't be Martha. It may make you feel more spiritual to be active and fretting over things, but it does nothing for your relationship with God.

Mary chose the good part. What will you choose?