Being with Jesus
Luke 10:41-42
41 … “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part…
One of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is becoming so busy doing things for Jesus that we forget to simply spend time with Jesus. This is the tension we find in the story of Mary and Martha. Both women loved Jesus. Both welcomed Him into their home. Both desired to honor Him. Yet their responses to His presence could not have been more different. Martha immediately became consumed with preparations, responsibilities, and serving her guests, while Mary simply sat at Jesus’ feet and listened. It’s important to notice that Jesus never rebuked Martha for serving. Service has always been a beautiful expression of worship. Throughout Scripture we are called to serve one another, to use our gifts, and to care for the needs of those around us. Martha’s problem wasn’t that she was serving. Her problem was that her service had become more important than her relationship. She had become so focused on doing something for Jesus that she stopped enjoying being with Jesus.
That temptation is just as real today. We live in a culture that celebrates productivity. We measure our worth by how much we accomplish, how many tasks we complete, and how efficiently we manage our schedules. It’s easy to carry that same mindset into our relationship with God. We begin to believe He is most pleased when we’re busy. We think spiritual maturity is measured by how much we do instead of how closely we walk with Him. Jesus gently reminded Martha that only one thing was truly necessary. Before He wanted her service, He wanted her attention. Before He wanted anything from her hands, He wanted her heart. That is the essence of abiding.
Abiding is not another spiritual task to complete. It is not about checking off a Bible reading plan, praying a certain number of minutes, or attending another church event. Those disciplines are incredibly important because they cultivate our relationship with Christ, but they are not the relationship itself. Abiding is learning to enjoy the presence of Jesus. It is slowing down long enough to hear His voice, allowing His Word to shape your heart, and walking through the day with a continual awareness that He is with you. It is choosing relationship over routine and intimacy over activity.
Think about the healthiest relationships in your life. They weren’t built because you constantly worked for one another. They were built because you spent time together. You shared conversations. You listened. You laughed. You walked through ordinary moments side by side. The relationship deepened because you were present with one another. God desires that same kind of relationship with His children. He doesn’t simply want servants who accomplish great things for His Kingdom. He wants sons and daughters who delight in His presence. He invites us to know Him personally, not merely work for Him faithfully.
Ironically, when we make being with Jesus our priority, we become far more effective in serving Him. Time spent in His presence transforms the way we love our families, interact with coworkers, respond to difficult people, and navigate life’s challenges. We stop serving out of obligation and begin serving from the overflow of a heart that has been refreshed by His presence. That’s why Jesus didn’t tell Martha to stop serving forever. He simply invited her to first choose what Mary had chosen. Service without intimacy eventually leads to exhaustion, but service flowing from intimacy produces joy.
Today, ask yourself an honest question: Has my relationship with Jesus become more about activity than intimacy? Have I become so focused on doing things for Him that I’ve neglected simply being with Him? Jesus is still extending the same invitation He gave to Martha. Slow down. Sit at His feet. Listen to His voice. Make His presence your priority. Before He asks you to do anything for Him today, He simply invites you to spend time with Him.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times I’ve allowed busyness to replace intimacy with You. Thank You for reminding me that You desire a relationship with me more than my performance for You. Help me slow down today and choose what is most important. Teach me to value Your presence above my productivity and to find joy simply in being with You. May everything I do flow from a heart that has first been filled by spending time with Jesus. In His name, Amen.
41 … “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part…
One of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is becoming so busy doing things for Jesus that we forget to simply spend time with Jesus. This is the tension we find in the story of Mary and Martha. Both women loved Jesus. Both welcomed Him into their home. Both desired to honor Him. Yet their responses to His presence could not have been more different. Martha immediately became consumed with preparations, responsibilities, and serving her guests, while Mary simply sat at Jesus’ feet and listened. It’s important to notice that Jesus never rebuked Martha for serving. Service has always been a beautiful expression of worship. Throughout Scripture we are called to serve one another, to use our gifts, and to care for the needs of those around us. Martha’s problem wasn’t that she was serving. Her problem was that her service had become more important than her relationship. She had become so focused on doing something for Jesus that she stopped enjoying being with Jesus.
That temptation is just as real today. We live in a culture that celebrates productivity. We measure our worth by how much we accomplish, how many tasks we complete, and how efficiently we manage our schedules. It’s easy to carry that same mindset into our relationship with God. We begin to believe He is most pleased when we’re busy. We think spiritual maturity is measured by how much we do instead of how closely we walk with Him. Jesus gently reminded Martha that only one thing was truly necessary. Before He wanted her service, He wanted her attention. Before He wanted anything from her hands, He wanted her heart. That is the essence of abiding.
Abiding is not another spiritual task to complete. It is not about checking off a Bible reading plan, praying a certain number of minutes, or attending another church event. Those disciplines are incredibly important because they cultivate our relationship with Christ, but they are not the relationship itself. Abiding is learning to enjoy the presence of Jesus. It is slowing down long enough to hear His voice, allowing His Word to shape your heart, and walking through the day with a continual awareness that He is with you. It is choosing relationship over routine and intimacy over activity.
Think about the healthiest relationships in your life. They weren’t built because you constantly worked for one another. They were built because you spent time together. You shared conversations. You listened. You laughed. You walked through ordinary moments side by side. The relationship deepened because you were present with one another. God desires that same kind of relationship with His children. He doesn’t simply want servants who accomplish great things for His Kingdom. He wants sons and daughters who delight in His presence. He invites us to know Him personally, not merely work for Him faithfully.
Ironically, when we make being with Jesus our priority, we become far more effective in serving Him. Time spent in His presence transforms the way we love our families, interact with coworkers, respond to difficult people, and navigate life’s challenges. We stop serving out of obligation and begin serving from the overflow of a heart that has been refreshed by His presence. That’s why Jesus didn’t tell Martha to stop serving forever. He simply invited her to first choose what Mary had chosen. Service without intimacy eventually leads to exhaustion, but service flowing from intimacy produces joy.
Today, ask yourself an honest question: Has my relationship with Jesus become more about activity than intimacy? Have I become so focused on doing things for Him that I’ve neglected simply being with Him? Jesus is still extending the same invitation He gave to Martha. Slow down. Sit at His feet. Listen to His voice. Make His presence your priority. Before He asks you to do anything for Him today, He simply invites you to spend time with Him.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times I’ve allowed busyness to replace intimacy with You. Thank You for reminding me that You desire a relationship with me more than my performance for You. Help me slow down today and choose what is most important. Teach me to value Your presence above my productivity and to find joy simply in being with You. May everything I do flow from a heart that has first been filled by spending time with Jesus. In His name, Amen.
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