The Best Choice

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 only one thing is needed, Mary has chosen what is better . . . . ” Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

There’s a little Martha in each of us that seems to choose the mundane over what truly matters and causes us to take the Lord for granted. But Mary shows us a different choice and according to Jesus, she makes the best decision.  She maximizes every moment of this and each of her encounters with Jesus.  She never misses an opportunity to worship Him with her whole heart. From the time Jesus entered their home, Mary sits at His feet and ponders His every word.  And that is important because this day, Jesus did not need to be fed.  This day, He needed her faith.  Not only did Mary choose to do what was necessary, but Jesus declares to all of us, for all time, that Mary chose what was best.

I love this story because it reveals how easily we can become distracted and preoccupied with  unimportant things that cause us to miss opportune moments of worship with the Lord.   If these past years have taught me nothing else,they have taught me the necessity and value of personal devotion with the Lord.  I treasure each moment of our intimacy and sharing.  I seek Him first at the dawning of each new day and He empowers and enables me to face the world with the confidence in knowing that He is with me. I navigate life at a slower pace now, and I can tell you it makes all the difference when you truly take the time to “smell the roses,” as they say.  It’s a wonderful thing to be able to appreciate the simple yet magnificent and to praise God for both.

For many years, I sprinted through life sick and broken, but no more.  Now I understand that there is nothing so crucial it cannot wait for my careful consideration.  Nothing is so important to me it has to be rushed or hurried.  Everything is secondary to my faith, family, and friends. These days, I am intentional in all that I do and every decision is a conscious one that places the Lord above all else, in my work, my witness, and most of all, in my heart.  I don’t know how many more years the Lord will allow.  I only know, like Mary, I choose to honor and to worship the Lord and there is no doubt, I have made the best choice!