A Life of Joy by Elle CardelSample

Mary of Bethany—Choosing Delight Over Distraction

“One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” —Luke 10:42

Imagine hosting a dinner party for someone really important.

The table needs to be set, the food prepared, and the house (deep) cleaned. You’re running around, doing your best to ensure everything is just right, while someone else sits and relaxes and waits for the special guest to arrive.

*Cue the frustration.*

Frustrated is exactly how Martha felt in Luke 10:38-42. Jesus came to visit, and while Martha was busy serving, her sister, Mary, simply sat at Jesus’ Feet to soak in His every word.

Martha, overwhelmed by the preparations, finally spoke up:

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her then to help me” (Luke 10:40).

Instead of rebuking Mary, Jesus lovingly corrected Martha, saying:

"But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her'” (Luke 10:41-42).

Martha wasn’t doing something wrong—she was serving, after all! But Jesus pointed out that Mary had chosen what was better. She prioritized being with Jesus over doing for Him.

What if the one thing your soul needs most today isn’t another task checked off your list, but simply to rest in the Presence of Jesus?

We live in a culture that praises hustle, productivity, and constant movement. But Jesus invites us to slow down. To sit at His Feet. To delight in His Presence.

Do you resonate with Martha? Does your To-Do list feel stacked with To-Dos, as if there just isn’t enough time to sit with the Lord? If so, be reminded: we make time for what matters most.

We don’t find time to be with Jesus—we choose it.

Principles for the Heart:

Delighting in Jesus means prioritizing time with Him.

Martha’s heart was in the right place—she wanted to serve Jesus well. But in the busyness of doing, she missed the beauty of being with Him.

Our lives can feel just as hectic—laundry piles up, work deadlines loom, the kids need attention. However, if we are not careful, we can easily fill our days with good things while missing the best thing: Jesus Himself.

Busyness doesn’t equal closeness to God.

It’s easy to equate activity with spiritual depth—serving at church, volunteering, or doing ministry. While these things are ministry work, they do not—they cannot—replace personal intimacy with Jesus.

Mary’s example teaches us that our first calling is not to do for Jesus, but to be with Him.

Our delight in God should shape our priorities.

Jesus didn’t tell Martha that serving was bad—He told her that Mary had chosen the better portion.

We, too, must be intentional about choosing time with Jesus over the constant demands of life.

Ponder This:

• In what ways do I identify more with Martha than Mary?
• How can I intentionally make time to sit with Jesus in the middle of my busy life?
• Do I sometimes prioritize doing things for God over being with God?
• What distractions keep me from focusing on Jesus, and how can I set them aside?

Pray: Lord, my heart is often so busy. I get caught up in responsibilities, distractions, and the endless To-Do lists of life. But I don’t want to miss what’s most important—delighting in You. Help me to slow down, to sit at Your Feet, and to make time for what truly matters. Help me not to give in to the lie that I am too busy for You. Teach me to be present with You, even in the busiest seasons of life. May my delight in You be the foundation of everything I do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.