But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42
Martha was concerned that her sister hadn’t helped her get things ready. Her request to Jesus wasn’t ignored, but He gently redirects her attention to what is going on in her home. While she has been busy with preparing the meal and setting the table, Mary has been attending to His teaching.
Jesus says that the human things we do “worry and distract” us, keeping us from hearing His message of love first. He tells Martha that what Mary is doing is very important and “it will not be taken away from her”, that our relationship with God is essential and eternal. Jesus says that in the midst of all we do on a daily basis, making time for God is the better part of any activity.
We all need time to intentionally connect with God every day. Sometimes it seems hard to do that, with all the other appointments and commitments for which we are responsible. Try writing “Prayer” on your day planner, phone app or refrigerator calendar and schedule yourself for time with God today and always. It will make a difference that will not be taken away from you.
Loving Lord, our lives get full of activities and obligations. Help us to see the importance of prayer and study to all we do, and to make time to be together with You every day. Amen.