“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 10:41-42 (NIV)
Many of us are familiar with the story of Mary and Martha. The lesson it holds still rings true for us today.
When Jesus and his disciples traveled to the village of Bethany, where Mary and Martha lived, he paid a visit to their home.
While Martha busied herself by preparing a meal to serve her guests, Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to what He was speaking.
Some may wonder, “well, doesn’t someone have to do the meal-making? Doesn’t somebody have to get the work done?”
As Martha gets upset and tells Jesus to order Mary to help her, we see the response of Jesus.
Notice how He never rebuked her for serving, but He gently admonished her for being, “worried and upset.”
In the kingdom of God, serving is a good thing, as we are called to serve others. However, sitting and listening at the feet of Jesus is still above that.
When we live a Christ-centered life, having a servant’s heart will flow naturally. Putting the Lord first and prioritizing Him above all work will empower you to serve others.
After all, how often was it that Jesus would personally come to visit your home and start speaking? Put yourself in Mary’s shoes. If Jesus came walking into your town today to visit you personally, wouldn’t you want to soak up every moment with Him instead of busying yourself distracted and anxious?
Today, choose to put Jesus and His word above all work that needs to be done. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you through your schedule and submit to His agenda. Even if you don’t finish everything on the to-do list, you will have peace because you put Him first!
“Lord, thank you for helping me to always choose what is better. Help me to prioritize drawing near to you over the busyness of my life.”
With Love,
Sarah Sherstad
Use This in Your Personalized Scripture Journal
As you reflect on Luke 10:41–42, take time to write through these prompts:
· What has been distracting me lately?
· Am I more focused on doing for God than being with Him?
· Where do I feel overwhelmed by responsibilities?
· What does “choosing what is better” look like in my daily life?
· How can I intentionally prioritize time with Jesus this week?
In this passage, Martha is busy and distracted, while Mary chooses to sit at Jesus’ feet. Jesus does not condemn service — He gently corrects misplaced priority. Presence matters more than performance.
Use this space to write a prayer asking God to quiet your heart and help you choose what is better each day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Luke 10:41–42 mean?
It teaches that time with Jesus is more important than being consumed by tasks and distractions.
Was Martha wrong to serve?
No. The issue was not service, but anxiety and misplaced priority.
What does it mean to choose “what is better”?
It means prioritizing relationship with Christ above busyness.
How can I reduce distraction spiritually?
By scheduling intentional time for prayer and Scripture before other tasks.
How can journaling help refocus priorities?
Writing reveals what is truly consuming your attention and helps realign it.
