God and My To-Do ListShembull

The golden calf called “have to”

As a goal-setting, calendar-keeping, box-checking man who married a goal-setting, calendar-keeping, box-checking woman, the story of Mary and Martha gets my full attention. In particular, I recently noticed those two dangerous words that Luke records: “[Martha] had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” (Luke 10:39,40). Had to. Martha couldn’t sit and listen like Mary because the preparations had to be made.

But did they have to? Did Jesus arrive with a list of demands that had to be done? No. So, where did Martha’s “had to” come from? Don’t miss this, you productive readers! Martha made it up. Martha made her own list with the best intentions, but that list got in the way of her love.

I need to hear those words. Don’t you? Do you commit yourself to so many things that you “have to” do that you end up rushing instead of resting, being frustrated instead of patient, and getting angry at the people who don’t seem motivated by your list of things that “need to” get done? Organized people are wonderfully wired, but just like any personality type, our strengths can lead to sin.

Look at your to-do list and be honest. Do you have to? What would happen if you didn’t do that? Would Jesus be mad? I pray that, in light of the finished work of Jesus, the Holy Spirit gives you the wisdom to be a go-getter who doesn’t worship the golden calf called “have to.”