Spiritual Goals and Values: Following Jesus in His Upside-Down KingdomSample

Mary and Martha (Part 2)

Yesterday, we looked at the hurry sickness that plagues our current culture and examined what it means for our values to align with our schedules. Today's passage is about just that, in the story of Mary and Martha: two sisters who have come to represent this whole idea. It’s a quick story and a small snap-shot into the lives of two women and their interaction with Jesus. At the core of it, it speaks to the goals in our lives and what (or, in this case, who) has our time and attention.

Martha is focused on her own goal, and it’s not even a bad one! It’s not like her goal is murder and anarchy; it’s hospitality and housework. But, her busyness keeps her from the most important thing: simply being with the Lord. Martha is stressed out (clearly) about earthly things, and when it comes down to it, she chooses the expectations of society over time with her Lord. It is not that her desire to be a hospitable host was a bad thing, it’s simply that her priorities were out of order and it was not the most important thing. When the Word is being taught, we need to stop and listen. Everything else can come later.

In our hustle culture, our time and attention is a precious commodity. The question to ponder today is: does our time and attention belong to Jesus? Are we too busy doing good work that the best work (being with Jesus) is not a priority in our lives?

Think about or journal through the following questions:

What values does Martha display within this passage? What is motivating Martha? Alternatively, what values does Mary display within this passage? What is motivating Mary?

Is your natural tendency to be more of a Mary or a Martha? Where do you think this value comes from?

What is the Kingdom of God value that Jesus is affirming within this passage?

What goals can you set for your life that align with these values? What do you need to add to or remove from your schedule in order for Kingdom of God values to align with your life?