The Dishes Can Wait

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She 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. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”” Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭38‬-‭42‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Like Martha, I would have been so caught up in serving Jesus and the disciples that I would have inadvertently ignored the importance of sitting at his feet. After all, there’s so much work to be done when you have guests over. People need fed and watered. There would be clean up. People would have needs I should to attend to. I would be more concerned with everyone’s comfort than sitting and soaking up the presence of Jesus.

That said, I guarantee I would be angry with Mary for not helping me with the prep and cleanup. I’d probably be slamming drawers, doors and the dishes in the kitchen! I too would wine to Jesus about needing her to help me, in my anger and jealousy, I would probably go as far as to call her lazy🤦🏼‍♀️

The message Jesus gave to Martha that really convicts me is when he says: “One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course and won’t be taken from her” (Luke 10:42 MSG).

Only one thing is essential. Just one. He defines the one thing by saying Mary chose it. That one thing is to enjoy His presence. BY SITTING AT HIS FEET! That truth alone convicts me of how wrong I’ve been when I’ve chosen to serve (and sometimes complain) over sit and soak.

Jesus even reinforced its importance by saying this one thing wouldn’t be taken from her. It won’t be taken from us either. But we do have to choose it, choose to let go of everything else and bask in his presence, soak up his word, fill up with his peace, be recharged by his truth.

It is why he tells us, in The Message Translation Verse 42, Mary has chosen that which is ESSENTIAL, others translations say; the most IMPORTANT THING, the RIGHT THING, the GOOD PART or the GOOD PORTION.

Sitting is an ESSENTIAL part of being a Christian. Yes it’s good to serve, to help in our local church and support other ministries but are you like me? Do you need to be reminded or perhaps convinced, sitting doesn’t equal laziness or not caring about what needs to be done. Sitting is opening up our mind, our heart, our soul to Jesus. Opening ourselves up to knowing him more Intimately. To do anything less is like thumbing our nose at God and saying I got this, I’m going to depend on myself, and my abilities and I will probably complain, like Martha, when it doesn’t go well or I feel overwhelmed, overworked or overextended!!

When we consistently choose to sit in the presence of Jesus, we get filled up, we get inspired and encouraged. At His feet is where we learn forgiveness and humility. At His feet is where can leave our burdens and troubles. At His feet is where we can see we are not failing, that we are doing enough, we are on the right path. At His feet we find answers and solutions. At His feet is where we will find everything we need.

So, when the opportunity to sit and soak at the feet of Jesus comes grab it, appreciate it, enjoy it. Because I’m here to tell you not only can the dishes wait, there will be more tomorrow!