Choosing the Good Part
Luke 10:38–42
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
Jesus said of Mary that she chose the good part. It was not given to her, forced upon her, or demanded of her. She simply chose. That is the nature of the “good part.” It must be chosen, for it is easily overlooked, often missed, and frequently crowded out by other things. Such was the story of Martha.
Martha was first distracted and then worried and troubled about many things. What started as a distraction, became a burden. The one task became many. The to do list lengthened, the pressure mounted, and the frustration grew. What appeared to be good, took her from what would have been better. Jesus, though aware of Martha’s distress, simply reminded her that one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part. Mary had chosen it; but Martha had not. It was available to Martha as well, but she had become distracted. Other things caught her eye. Preparations consumed her thoughts and troubled her soul.
Weight always comes when we choose “to do” before we receive. Like Martha, we become worried and troubled. Our good intentions become a burden. Our thoughts become anxious, and our emotions rage. Serving becomes overwhelming, and people frustrating. Then like Martha, we can criticise others as thoughtless and question God as to whether He cares.
Mary knew there were things to do. The expectations of others bore upon her soul and bid her to rise and do. Yet something greater was available - someone who spoke like no man spoke; someone who carried the atmosphere of heaven and invited her to draw near. Custom said she should withdraw. Women did not become disciples of men. Yet her heart knew that she was welcome. He did not judge her by her gender nor restrict her by the norms within which she lived. So she sat, she listened, and she received. Lost in the wonder of who He was, she heard words that awoke her heart and drew her closer to the Lord she sought.
Her yearning is our yearning. Her posture is our choice. How easily Mary could have chosen to first do and then sit. It is a decision frequently made by doers. “When I have taken care of this,” or, “I just need to deal with that.” All reasoned responses that define us as Marthas. Marys only have one first. It is Him.
While Martha served, Mary listened. It wasn’t exclusive but it was first. It is only when first remains first, that second works well. “Marys” know how to listen, so that when they serve, they do so with sensitivity to the Lord and His timing. Mary later anointed Jesus for burial, even before He died (Mark 14:8). Those who came later, came too late.
Mary sat; Martha worked. Mary received, but Martha heard only the echo of her own frustration. The disciples that crowded the room were also well positioned to listen. Yet they too were distracted. It wasn’t obvious. Their minds simply drifted. After all they had just returned from their recent ministry adventures. There were stories to tell and notes to compare. Tomorrow was another day with activities to plan, people to meet and logistics to navigate. Like all of us, there was plenty to claim their thoughts and demand their attention, even if the Master was speaking.
We cannot serve two masters. In choosing one we neglect the other. In choosing the many we lose the one. Or as is often the case, in failing to choose the One, we get entangled by the many. Like kids seeing a shiny toy, we let go of what we have, to reach for the new and exciting. Distracted and enamored, we lose sight of the good part and neglect what is needed. Our focus is taken, our energy sapped, and our reward stolen. What could have been is lost. What might have been gained, is forfeited.
We live in a world of many things. There are things to do, plans to make, ideas to mull over. There is always something to attract our attention and steal our focus. If one thing was the only thing, it would be easy. Yet it never is. One thing is always a choice, not a default nor a left-over. It requires setting our priorities and dealing with distraction. In the process, it reveals our heart. Only what we love will we repeatedly choose. What we repeatedly choose deepens our affection. It is an ever-increasing cycle of passion or disregard. It is the little choice that makes the next choice easier. It is the repeated choice that becomes a habit, and defines our lifestyle.
The good part is always a choice – our choice. No one else can make it for us, and there is much that fights against it. However, when we choose it, the Lord will defend it. He would not take from Mary to appease Martha. Neither will He take from us what we have chosen. It may bring criticism from others; there may be some things that are left undone. To sit at His feet and receive from Him is our choice to make. When we choose it He will protect it. When we seek Him we will find Him. When we sit at His feet He will speak to our heart. If others rise up to criticize He will speak up and commend. He loves for us to choose the good part, for when we do, we choose Him. And what we gain cannot be taken away.
Consider:
The “good part” of spending time with the Lord, is that an active choice or simply left to chance?
What are the things that distract and weigh you down?
Martha chose to feed the One who had fed multitudes. In serving the Lord, are you working for Him or with Him?
Prayer Prompts:
Lord, I often choose to serve and do, thinking that I will then have time to be with You. How does this impact our relationship?
I feel condemned by others for “wasting time” when I simply sit at Your feet. What do You say?
