Why Do I Do What I Don't Want to Do?Sýnishorn

In today’s story, Jesus comes to town and is hanging with his friends. Martha is in the mix. Martha is proactive, she’s a perfectionist, she’s the homeowner. They’re at Martha’s house, and she’s ballin’ out of control.

And then there is Mary. As I picture it, Mary is artsy, more creative, kind of freethinking, maybe a little flippant or flighty. She’s hanging at Martha’s house because Martha has it all together.

And to the Marthas of the world, the Marys are extra annoying, because it seems like they get a free pass. And so, when Martha comes to Jesus and says, “Tell her, Jesus,” and he responds, “She’s done what is better,” we can all feel her.

What was the problem here? “Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” (verse 40). Distracted. With Jesus right in front of her, Martha’s mind was elsewhere.

Most of us readily recognize that we are too busy. And when it comes to a solution, many people start talking about margin. Margin is great (in theory), but it’s just not that simple.

I want to propose a different word that I think is biblical, one this passage about Mary and Martha is pointing to: prioritization. We have to consistently evaluate what our priorities are and what falls into which order.

At the top? Jesus.

One week, someone asked me, “Have you ever thought about leaving Christianity because it’s so exhausting?”

I was taken aback by the question, and in my response I said, “Are you sure that’s Christianity?”

Because here is what Jesus says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Put Jesus first, and learn to rest in him.

What are some recent signs in your life that you are so overbooked it is distracting you from Jesus?