Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
February 11, 2024
Luke 10:38-42
38 While Jesus and his disciples were traveling, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his message. 40 By contrast, Martha was preoccupied with getting everything ready for their meal. So Martha came to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to prepare the table all by myself? Tell her to help me.” 41 The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. 42 One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part. It won’t be taken away from her.”
Good Morning! Happy Transfiguration Sunday!
Ecclesiastes 3:1To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven . . .
I have read this passage many times and asked myself the question, “Am I Martha or Mary?” followed by, “Should I be a Martha or a Mary?” It is easy to make a case for Mary, who takes time to listen to Jesus. We need to take time to listen to Jesus and to sit in fellowship with him. However, isn’t there a time when we must prepare and do the work?
How would anything work if we were having an event (a party, a worship service, a mission event) and everyone showed up ready to listen to someone talk? There would be no food, supplies, or materials. Yes, something is to be said for the fellowship, but we expect things if it’s a party.
Sometimes, it is easy to get so caught up in talking about things that we never get around to doing things. That is the crux of the “How many _______ does it take to change a lightbulb?” joke.
We are called to serve one another. Serving takes action!
We are called to listen to Jesus? Listening also takes action!
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. Thank you for showing us the way when we get lost in the weeds. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Who do you need to be today — Mary or Martha?
Listen! Love! Serve! Pastor Liz