As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
One of the greatest hindrances to personal spiritual revival is not realizing we’re not resting and listening to our Father’s voice. Like Mary in today’s passage, we get so intent on doing things for Him and trying to earn answers to our prayers, we totally miss what delights His heart the most, spending time with Him.
In this account Jesus gently tells Martha what pleases Him and will also be beneficial to her. In her desire to please Him, she’s missing what is truly important, getting to know Him better and what life is like when we do it with Him instead of for Him. We become alive in our spirits as our relationship with Him deepens and we begin to see things from a different perspective, God’s perspective. Even when we have times of trial and troubles, they become lighter because they’re being carried by Him for us. We can rest in knowing that the One that knows all is leading us into His plans and purpose. We know we are loved and accepted and a deep peace and joy is experienced deep inside.
Notice the last thing Jesus says about Mary sitting at His feet, “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and it will not be taken from her.” Personal revival begins when we stop doing and turn our eyes towards Him, open our ears to listen to His voice and prepare ourselves to follow His directions. And what we learn at His feet will not be taken away, it will always be with us to remind us that when we stay connected with Him, we will always have that find what we need.
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