Mary or Martha?



Luke 10:41-42

Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.” [Luke 10:38-42]




As I reflected today, I sensed the Lord gently asking me, "Evangeline, do you want to be more like Mary or Martha?"



Ouch... what a question!



If I'm honest, I've spent much of my life being a Martha - always busy, always serving, always organising, always making sure everything gets done. 

There is nothing wrong with serving. 




In fact, Martha loved Jesus deeply. 

Her problem wasn't her service - it was that her service became more important than simply being with Him.




Mary made a different choice.

While Martha was occupied with many responsibilities, Mary sat at Jesus' feet. 




How easy it is to mistake activity for spirituality. We can fill our calendars with meetings, ministries, projects, and good works, yet quietly drift away from the One we are serving. 



We become so busy working for Jesus that we spend very little time simply being with Jesus.




Jesus never rebuked Martha for serving. He gently pointed out that she was worried and distracted by many things, while only one thing was truly necessary. That "one thing" was His presence.




I've realised that the greatest danger isn't laziness - it's serving God without slowing down enough to hear His heart.




Today my prayer is simple:

"Lord, make me more like Mary. Teach me to choose Your presence over pressure, intimacy over activity, and rest over relentless striving. Let everything I do flow out of being with You first."




Perhaps that's the lesson God is teaching me in this season.

He isn't calling me to do more.

He's calling me to be closer.

Because God isn't looking for busier servants.





He's looking for sons and daughters who know His voice... friends who enjoy His presence... disciples who serve because they have first sat at His feet.




Furthermore, Martha probably had the better to-do list... but Mary chose the better seat. 


And perhaps that's the invitation Jesus is extending to all of us today:


"Before you do anything for Me... come and be with Me."




by Pastor Evangeline Mok