In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of responsibilities, distractions, and endless to-do lists. We often find ourselves running from one task to another, barely catching our breath, let alone finding time for spiritual reflection. But what if we're missing out on something crucial in our busyness? What if, in our pursuit of efficiency and productivity, we're neglecting the one thing that truly matters?
The story of Mary and Martha, two sisters mentioned in the New Testament, offers a profound lesson on this very dilemma. When Jesus visited their home, Martha busied herself with preparations, while Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, listening to his teachings. Martha, frustrated by her sister's apparent lack of help, complained to Jesus. His response was both gentle and profound: "Martha, Martha, 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."
This simple interaction encapsulates a struggle many of us face daily: the choice between being frazzled by life's demands or being dazzled by God's presence. It's not that service and responsibilities are inherently wrong—they're often necessary and good. The issue arises when these things consume us to the point that we neglect our spiritual needs and our relationship with God.
In our modern world, we're constantly bombarded by stimuli vying for our attention. Our phones ping incessantly, our workloads seem to multiply, and our commitments pile up. We can relate to Martha, feeling overwhelmed and perhaps even resentful of those who seem to have found peace amidst the chaos. But Jesus' words remind us that there's a better way—a way that leads to true fulfillment and peace.
The choice between feeding our physical needs and our spiritual needs is one we face continually. Our bodies demand attention—hunger, fatigue, and physical discomfort are hard to ignore. But our spirits need nourishment too, and often this is what we neglect in our busyness. Jesus' words to Satan during his temptation in the desert ring true for us as well: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
This spiritual nourishment isn't just a nice-to-have; it's essential for our wellbeing. Just as babies need love and affection to thrive physically, we need spiritual connection to thrive emotionally and mentally. When we starve ourselves of this connection, we become more susceptible to stress, anxiety, and a sense of emptiness that no amount of worldly success can fill.
Our spiritual state affects not just ourselves but those around us. When we're disconnected from God, we often become self-absorbed, impatient, and less capable of showing love and empathy to others. Our relationships suffer—with our spouses, our children, our friends. We might find ourselves, like Martha, accusing others of not caring or not doing enough, when in reality, it's our own spiritual emptiness that's causing the problem.
The good news is that we have a choice. Every day, every moment, we can choose to draw closer to God or to drift further away. We can choose to feed our spirits or to neglect them. And this choice has profound implications for how we face life's challenges.
Consider Mary's response when her brother Lazarus died. In her grief, she fell at Jesus' feet—a familiar place for her. Her closeness with Jesus had prepared her for this moment of crisis. How many of us, when faced with life's storms, find ourselves adrift, unsure where to turn because we haven't cultivated that closeness in our daily lives?
Drawing closer to God doesn't just prepare us for crises; it transforms our entire outlook on life. It shifts us from a self-centered perspective to a more selfless one. We see this beautifully illustrated in Mary's act of pouring expensive perfume on Jesus' feet and wiping them with her hair. This extravagant act of worship demonstrates a heart so filled with love and gratitude that material possessions pale in comparison to honoring Jesus.
So, what does this mean for us in practical terms? It means making a conscious choice to prioritize our relationship with God. It means carving out time in our busy schedules for prayer, meditation on Scripture, and simply being in God's presence. It might mean turning off our phones during certain hours, saying no to some commitments, or waking up a bit earlier to start our day with God.
It also means approaching our daily tasks and interactions with a different mindset. Instead of seeing them as burdens or distractions, we can view them as opportunities to practice God's presence, to serve others with love, and to cultivate gratitude.
This shift isn't always easy. Our culture often celebrates busyness and productivity above all else. But we're called to a different standard—one that values stillness, reflection, and spiritual growth. As we make this choice consistently, we'll find that it becomes easier. We'll start to crave that time with God, recognizing it as the source of our strength, peace, and joy.
Remember, at the end of our lives, it won't be our accomplishments, possessions, or busy schedules that matter most. It will be our relationship with God and the love we've shown to others. Everything else will fade away, but what we've invested in our spiritual lives will last eternally.
So today, let's make the choice to draw closer to God. Let's choose, like Mary, to sit at Jesus' feet, soaking in His presence and His words. Let's cultivate hearts that are generous, loving, and focused on what truly matters. In doing so, we'll find that we're better equipped to handle life's challenges, more capable of loving others deeply, and more fulfilled than we ever thought possible.
The invitation is open to all of us. Will we choose what is better—that which cannot be taken away?