FAITH FOCUS: THE ONE THING
What is competing for your attention?
I am a woman in transition. Since the new year I’ve been blessed with not one, but two new jobs. I love them both. One, teaching music and the other performing as lead vocal with a classic rock band. I could not be more thrilled yet adjusting to the new schedule has been demanding.
To further complicate matters, my husband and I decided to place our home on the market. Which also means, house shopping. And finance shopping. Ya’ it was a moment of genius….Cue coffee spitting. May I offer you a napkin?
Like Martha at a dinner party, I have many tasks competing for attention and just like Martha, I’ve found myself developing a little ‘tude. Please say you’ve been there; I need the reassurance and hate to feel alone.
Thank you! I appreciate your commiseration. Now, allow me to share a little of what I’ve learned through this latest life lesson.
COMPETING FOR ATTENTION
“But Martha was distracted by her many tasks …” Luke 10:40 HCSB
Walk with me for a spell in Martha’s shoes. Imagine, you have a house load of people and the Son of God is sitting in your living room. According to custom, it’s on you to cook dinner, prepare beds, and the list grows with each new person walking through the door.
Where is your sister, Mary? She is supposed to be helping! Then you see her and it’s not at the sink or by the stove or in the pantry, oh heavens no! She is sitting at Jesus feet. You’re working your ever lovin’ fanny off and she’s chilling in the living room. Set blood to boil!
Oh yes, I can see myself getting mighty cranky. “Hey, Mary, there’s dishes here with your name on ‘em. Go!” Come on, you know you feel Martha too.
But, then there’s Jesus sweet response to our soul sister’s visible irritation:
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41,42 HCSB
ONE THING IS NECESSARY
“…one thing is necessary.” Luke 10:41 HCSB
So, what is the “one thing” Jesus is speaking of?
Jade, my husband, and I have an issue with water in our basement. A few weeks ago, I sat obsessing and fretting over it. Finally, I exclaimed, “God what are we going to do? What if the house won’t sell? How will we fix the problem? It costs thousands of dollars we don’t have.” Notice, all the emphasis being on human strength and financial limits.
I sounded a lot like Martha, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand,” Luke 10:40.
Jesus lovingly admonished Martha. In a similar way, He admonished me, “Donna, I parted the Red Sea, I think I can handle a leaky basement.”
Ya’ I felt a little foolish, He is after all, the master of water problems! Consider, not only did He part the Red Sea, He also parted the Jordan River and strolled across a rather blustery Sea of Galilee. My basement does not really compare.
But, in all the chaos and pressure, just like Martha, it’s easy to lose sight of the most precious asset in the room. Mary on the other hand did not. From the moment Jesus stepped through the door, she lost herself in Him. All the tasks, traditions and expectations melted into the glory of His presence.
Think of it! She had a priceless opportunity. Imagine being able to gaze in His eyes, soak in His essence and listen to His voice. The voice of the One who spoke all creation into existence. Mary was able to touch His hands. The hands King David wrote of saying, “You knit me together in my mother’s womb” Psalms 139:13.
Imagine the horrible regret if she did not pause from mundane chores to bask in the wonder of her reality.
Imagine Martha realizing what she almost missed.
Let’s sink down on the floor next to them. Breathe in deep. It’s a “wow” moment.
PAUSE IN HIS PRESENCE
“What a glorious God! He gives us salvation over and over, then daily he carries our burdens! Pause in his presence.” Psalms 68:19 TPT
Martha was carrying a heavy load but the moment she turned to Jesus, He lifted it from her. Cranky attitude and all.
You and I are daily surrounded by multitudinous responsibilities demanding our attention. And they usually do not extend the courtesy of waiting in line. It’s easy to become overwhelmed. But, what did Jesus say to Martha? “One thing is necessary.”
One of my favorite worship artists is Will Reagan. He has a song called “Take a Moment”. The opening line is “Take a moment to remember, who God is and who I am, there You go lifting my load again.” It is a reminder that no matter what we face, if we just stop and pause in God’s presence, He will provide exactly what we need. On time, every time.
He is our “One thing”.
AN EASY LOAD
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 HCSB
Imagine the relief Martha felt as she sat down beside Mary. At the word of Jesus, she became free to rest and enjoy the companionship of her creator. She learned a life-giving lesson that day and I’ve no doubt that if she were with us right now, she would share it joyfully.
The lesson is simple, like all awesome lessons are. There is nothing Jesus will refuse to carry on our behalf. We have 24/7 access to the throne of Heaven. We have the creator of the universe working eternally on our behalf.
The one thing necessary is to rest and listen at His feet. He does everything else.
Till next time, blessings sweet and precious friend!
Author, Donna L Lewis
Donna makes her home in the mountains of Tennessee with her husband, artist, Jade Lewis. She is an author, influencer, music mentor, singer, songwriter and avid motorcyclist.
Author, Toxic to Transformed, 100 Words of Life to Renew the Mind,
A verbal and emotional abuse recovery devotional available now on Amazon
Director, Breathe Life Ministries, a place to experience worship and words of life.
Host of “Monday Morning Live”, a Facebook Live Cast
