The end of the year always brings a lot of time for reflection. Typically, our thoughts turn toward how we did in meeting the goals we had set for the year. Did we lose the amount of weight we wanted? Did we read the number of books we wanted? How did we do with our spiritual disciplines? Did we make it through our Bible reading plan? When we look at our year in review, we tend to think of all the things we “did.” But do we ever think about how we “were?”
We see this play out in Scripture with the story of Mary and Martha. The Message version shares the story in a great way.
“As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. ‘Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.’ The Master said, ‘Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it–it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.’” Luke 10:38-42
Martha was “pulled away” by all that she had to do. She felt like things needed to be in order to show hospitality to Jesus. She was so concerned with her “to-do list” that she began to get bitter with Mary due to her lack of help. But Christ stated that Mary had found the essential thing. The phrase that the Message says is that Mary has chosen “the main course.” What Martha was doing was not bad, but it wasn’t the best thing. Jesus valued presence over performance. What if Martha was so focused on her accomplishments that she was neglecting her relationship?
As we move into the New Year and begin to think about things we want to accomplish, do, and achieve; do we ever think about how we want to “be”? Do we put so much emphasis on our goals that we miss out on truly growing closer to Christ? While setting goals and having ambition is not a bad thing, could we be missing the “main course” for the next year?
This devotional was written by Amy Carrico of Making the Moments Matter. Click HERE to follow her on Facebook!
Last Updated on December 30, 2024
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