Doers AND Hearers (!?)

                                                              Luke 10: 38-42
 
“….the Lord answered,’ you are worried and upset about many things but few things are needed – or indeed only one’.”      Luke 10: 41b-42a                              
 
     There’s a song by Harry Chapin, called, ‘The cat’s in the cradle,’ which tells the story of a father who is too busy for his son; so busy that a legacy is passed down, the tables are turned, and the son becomes too busy for the father. It’s a tale that is probably true for many of us; we are often too busy in life with ‘doing.’ On Monday we thought about the truth that we not only need to hear God’s Word but do it; put it into practice. There is another principle connected with this truth; we are often too busy to hear God’s Word in the first place. It therefore becomes difficult to ‘do’ because of our ‘doing!’
 
     In our Gospel reading today Jesus visited the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to Him (vs. 39). Martha acted as host and became distracted with the preparations to provide for the Lord. She was frustrated with the lack of help from her sister and complained (vs. 40). Jesus gently challenged Martha and explained that Mary had found all that she needed in Him.
 
     It is too simplistic to say that Martha was wrong and Mary right; after all there are ‘things’ that need doing. What I believe Jesus is teaching us here is this. There will always be busyness but in the midst of it all we need to stop and kneel at His feet to find exactly what we need in Him…our relationship with God and His sovereign provision whatever the situation. In this time of crisis we may well have more time on our hands for others and especially for the Lord. May we make time to kneel before Him (in His Word and in prayer) to receive that which is better, that which is all we need (vs. 42) – Jesus Christ.
 
To Ponder: What distracts you most in your life? How can you make time to ‘kneel’ at Jesus’ feet and receive from Him as you give Him adoration?
 
Prayer: Father, you are our refuge and strength; an ever present help in trouble. Even though the world may be in uproar help us to ‘be still’ and know that you are God, you will be exalted. As we see who you are and receive from you give us the faith therefore not to fear. Amen 
From Psalm 46
 
Praise:​