The Good Part

‘And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”‘ Luke 10:41-42

I hear Him calling my name twice as well.

How many can you count? Global problems, good news, to-do’s, to become’s, the Christmas season’s call, etc. Every day has its own.

Martha was going about life the way every hardworking person should. She was cooking, serving, hosting, and taking care of the household. Mary sat and watched. She sat at the feet of Jesus, looking up at him in awe, listening to every word from his mouth. Mary was entranced by wisdom, forsaking the call of duty.

Martha’s frustrations are understandable. I’d feel like that as well until Jesus spoke and broke in pieces the old mold.

“Amongst all the hustle and bustle, Martha, all the well-mannered attempts to be the good hostess, to do well before others, nothing is as important as what Mary is doing.”

Like smoke, everything changes and goes away. One day, you will retire; the kids will grow up and leave; the spouse will no longer be there; the guests will stop coming; someone may take over the side-hustle taking up all your time, etc.

The focus must be on the eternal, the presence of God, from where life flows. A cousin of mine says the peace in that place drowns the noise of many waters. It fazes out the threat of the storms of life.

Martha didn’t feel threatened. She was going about everyday life the same as before. Jesus asked, what is taking your attention? He asked her if she was listening to earthly life when eternal life was in her house? He gave her the answer to a multiple-options question. Only one thing was needed, and her sister had chosen it. Mary had chosen the prepared food for the soul, not minding the earthly preparations meant for the body.

If the bread of life feeds your soul, it overflows to your body and life. When you sit at the feet of the peace giver, you have His peace. In God’s presence is joy, and fear is obliterated like dark clouds when the sun rises.

To chose the good part is to have the light of God shine in and through you, no matter how dark the night. May we all continue to listen, and to hear, that we may live and thrive.

Till next time, be transformed!!!