The Choice Will Always Be Yours

Gò0dNews for Family

The Choice Will Always Be Yours

by Jennifer Hastings

Luke 10:38-42 tells the story of Mary and Martha, two sisters, and their choices. The sisters welcome Jesus and His followers into their home. As you read, imagine your family has invited friends over for a fall bonfire in your backyard. While having guests in your home is a positive experience, it can also be stressful—especially when you have preconceived notions about how the event should unfold. Now, let us see what we can learn from the choices of these two sisters as they throw a party.

One sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet listening to him while Martha was distracted with preparations. I can hear Martha saying, “Can you believe Mary is leaving me all this work to do by myself? I want this meal to be perfect, and I need her to make the bread.” After milling around the kitchen another five minutes, her anger gets the best of her. She marches in to see Jesus, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40).

Sound familiar? How many times has our justified anger reached our boiling point—when we begin to think we know best? Sometimes, we get so bold, we approach the Lord and explain in detail how He needs to handle the situation. We, a people who barely understand our thoughts and feelings, think we know best. We try to advise the One who sees into everyone’s hearts how to run the show.

Remember the bonfire I told you you’re planning? Your guest will be arriving in thirty minutes, and you are not ready. A fight breaks out between you and your spouse. The husband wants his wife to make the salad, but she is putting on her makeup. As a wife, you think your husband should be blowing off the driveway, yet he is nowhere to be found. Yes, I rest my case. The story is still relevant today. Husbands and wives tend to play this dangerous little game from time to time—Who contributes to the family the most? We think we know best when it comes to how they should spend their time.

I love how Jesus responds to Martha’s request. I imagine Jesus shaking His head as He says, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

Okay, wait, Jesus, what is the one thing that is needed? What is better than being productive and prepared?

Mary was simply being with Jesus! She sat at His feet listening. Being with someone you love and listening to them is better than being busy and pursuing perfection. Are we filling our October calendars so full we are missing the one thing that is needed—the one thing that will never be taken away from us?

Jesus addressed the condition of Martha’s heart. He told her she was worried and upset about many things. Jesus helps reveal to us the condition of our hearts too. Martha’s actions teach us another important lesson. We can and should bring our emotions to the Lord, even when we are acting like whining toddlers—that might be the time to run and find Him quickly. Jesus lovingly reset Martha’s heart and priorities for the day. He is willing and able to work on our hearts too. What is the condition of your heart? Do you make time to be with Jesus? Mary made the better choice that day, but we also have that same choice every single day. The choice will always be yours, but time spent with the Lord always yields the best returns!

About The Author Jennifer Hastings and her husband, Stewart live in Rocky Face with their three children. She works for Dalton Public Schools as a curriculum specialist. You can check out their blog at thatsthewayweseeit.com.

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