Another Martha Moment

“And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. but Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.” Luke 10:39-42

My other Martha Moment? I sit, but I don’t listen.

Martha had trouble sitting because she was distracted with much serving. But she also had trouble listening.

“Martha, Martha,” our Lord lovingly addressed her, “you are anxious and troubled about many things.”

We can’t listen if we are anxious and troubled about many things.

I’ve squandered my fair share of devotional times worrying rather than listening. I sit on the living room couch with my Bible, journal, reading plan, books, and coffee, but I fail to listen.

I rehearse a difficult conversation from the night before: What could I have said? What should I have said? What will I say next time we talk?

Or I consider the day ahead: What time is Chad’s soccer game? Oh, I almost forgot I’m babysitting Kristin’s boys. And I need to get C.J.’s shirts from the cleaners before he goes out of town….

Or I notice an empty corner in the living room and begin to redecorate in my mind: If we move this chair to that corner and purchase a small table and lamp to go over here…

All the while, my Bible is open on my lap.

But I’m not listening.

I might even read my Bible, but because I am distracted, I have no idea what I just read.

I’m still not listening

Do you have your own “Martha Moments?” Do you find it hard to sit? Do you find it difficult to listen?

God knew Martha was anxious and troubled. He knows when we are anxious and troubled. He lovingly spoke to Martha; and through her story He lovingly speaks to us today: “only one thing is necessary.”

More on this “one thing” next week.