Heart and Hands

There is a story in the New Testament that I think is really funny. It's funny to me because when we read it, we all aspire to be one particular character, but I think most of us are someone else. This is a story that we love to apply it spiritually, but we don't often think about what it would have been like to be there.

This story is about two ladies named Mary and Martha. Here's the passage from Luke 10:38-42:

"Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.' 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.'"

Before we get to spiritually applying this moment, take a second and pause. Think about what it would have been like to actually be there. Martha is busily preparing everything for everyone who is around. There was food, cleaning, and preparations that needed to be done. While she toiled (for other people!), her sister was just sitting idly listening to Jesus. If you were watching this happen, who would you side with?

As much as I want to be Mary, contently sitting at the feet of Jesus, I know I would be right there with Martha. Stuff's got to get done! Someone needs to help her! After all, this service is a sacrifice.

Martha missed one critical point. Jesus underscores it at the end of this passage when He says that "Mary has chosen the good portion." The truth is this:

God wants our hearts before He wants our hands.

Truthfully, God wants all of us. But so often, we end up trying to work for Him before we connect our hearts to Him. When we do this, our hearts usually just stay ours, serving ourselves. We allow ourselves to get wrapped up in serving God, volunteering, and giving, but we keep our hearts for ourselves.

God wants our hands, yes, but before our hands, He wants our hearts.

Wouldn't you rather choose "the good portion?" Our work for God should not distract us from God– that was Martha's mistake. Our service to God and His church should flow from a heart that is wholly His.

Today, take intentional time to connect your heart with God. Slow down. Spend time 'at the feet of Jesus,' by reading His Word and praying this with me today:

Father God, don't let my desire to serve you distract my heart from you. Give me the courage to choose the You as the good portion, and the enthusiasm to serve you with all my heart. AMEN.