Luke 10:38
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
So many of us like Martha can be so consumed with all the details of life that we neglect the source of all things, including a Sound Mind Set.
In this passage it is also admirable that Martha speaks up out of her authentic feeling and points out the stress and comparison she is experiencing by essentially saying, Jesus, shouldn’t someone be helping with all these details.
Notice Jesus’ response was compassion with correction “Martha, you are worried and upset about many things but few things are needed, only one.”
What are you worried about today, what details are causing a bit of stress?
What might it look like for you to let go of worries and just be present? Making a choice to pause for self-care can be surprisingly difficult when we're used to chasing all the details. We may feel guilty or anxious about not getting everything done.
Pausing actually takes a lot of courage in the face of all that needs to be done throughout our days.
Let’s personalize Jesus’s from His response to Martha from this passage.
(Say your name then repeat Jesus’s words, to you), you are worried and upset about many things but few things are needed or indeed only one.
Let’s pray: “Jesus, help me to let go of the things that I worry about and be present in your care. Thank you that you just call me to sit at your feet and soak up your love and strength. Help me to prioritize letting go of thinking I have to get everything right all the time. Help me relax and know that your presence is all I need. As above, so below.”