Emphasis: Choices

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:38-42 NKJV

Poor Martha. Jesus is her guest. Martha welcomes Him into her house. She's fixing a big dinner for Him and His friends (clue - much serving) and what does her sister do? Is she helping? No. She just sits there...

I think it's safe to assume that Mary's normal course of action would be to help her sister or else Martha wouldn't be so upset that Mary wasn't helping when they both knew the Most Important Guest they'd ever had was sitting in the house. Do you think Mary wasn't aware that Martha would be angry with her? Oh, she knew it all right. But I believe Mary weighed the cost and made her choice.

Do you ever hear these? What do you mean you're part of a committed Bible study group and can't go? What do you mean you have to study for it - aren't I more fun? Why don't we go to a movie? Oh, come on! Everybody's going! No, we love it when you come. It won't be the same if you're not there. You can miss one night.

We choose how we spend our time - productive or mindless - it's our decision. What choices do we make? Where do those choices leave us? More to the point - Where do we want our choices to leave us?

Emphasis: Our choices.

Prayer:

Father,
So often we are pulled away by stuff, just stuff. Help us to see what is the one thing that is needed. Open our eyes to the good part, the part that can't be taken from us. Give us the courage of our convictions. Forgive us for choosing anything over You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen