The better way

Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken from her. Luke 10: 42

There is something about the story of Mary and Martha that draws me back every time. I think many of us secretly feel sorry for poor old Martha, slaving away in the kitchen, while Mary sat listening at Jesus’ feet. As I said in a previous blog (Jesus loved Martha) too many of us identify with Martha because we prefer to be doing something / anything rather than sitting at Jesus’ feet.

So often nowadays when I meet someone I have not seen for a while and ask them how things are going they will invariably reply, ‘busy’ or ‘hectic’. Secretly I think we want people to believe we are busy because they don’t want us to think we are lazy or don’t have anything much to do. It is the old protestant work ethic; pride in achievements. We want people to look at our accomplishments and be impressed.

Yet whilst God wants us to be fruitful which is not the same as busy and is certainly not a list of achievements, what God wants most of all is relationship. This is what Mary chose and that is why Jesus commended her for choosing what is better. I believe if Martha was saying one thing to us today it would be, ‘follow Mary’s example!’ Martha may have been a marvellous servant – in the right sense of the word – but she also had great faith (John 11:25) and she didn’t get that preparing the sandwiches in the kitchen. She must have spent time with Jesus. 

Too often we substitute relationship with Jesus with works for Jesus. Whilst it is important that our faith is shown through works (James 2:14 – 26) our relationship with Jesus is much more important. Relationships can be hard especially when you cannot see the one you are trying to have relationship with. Jesus though will do all he can to draw us to him and through his Holy Spirit make his presence real in our lives.

Jesus’ priority was his relationship with the Father. He always spent time with him going to lonely places to pray or staying up all night if necessary (Luke 6:12).  It was from this place of relationship with the Father that all the works of Jesus, the teaching, healings, miracles, signs and wonders flowed.  Jesus also spent three years building relationships with the disciples that bore fruit for years and generations to come.

If we could ask those who have gone before us what their greatest regrets have been, I am sure that too much time spent in works and not enough time spent in relationships would be high on everyone’s list.  Let us resolve to prioritise again our relationships especially with the Lord and those closest to us. We may not get as much done as we may have liked but it will never be time wasted.