A crowd of dusty feet trampled into her foyer, each pair needing to be washed and refreshed. Then those same feet crossed over into the living area and reclined as His voice began to teach about love and grace and kingdom treasures within the souls of men.
That same crowd arrived with rumbling stomachs. So, of course, their hostess bustled about the kitchen, busily preparing a meal to fill their bellies. It always required so much work to care for others. What she wouldn’t give to join the group reclining in the other room, gathered about the Master.
But she was determined to serve them. She was the caregiver of the family, after all. It was her responsibility to make sure things ran smoothly. To be certain that everyone who graced her doorstep received adequate care. To guarantee that no one ever left her home hungry or wanting.
Even though she yearned to gather with the others and enjoy the moment, duty called. The needs of others always managed to supersede her desires. And so she served.
In her flurry of activity, she neglected to notice her sister’s absence, so focused was she on her task. Until that is, she deposited a tray of dates and nuts for the visitor’s respite and saw Mary sitting there with the group of men. While Martha was scurrying about making preparations, her sister sat contentedly at Jesus’ feet, soaking in His presence. All while Martha soaked with the sweat of serving.
The unfairness of it was too much. Usually content to do most things herself, Martha’s temper flared. She abruptly interrupted the gathering to garner Jesus’ insistence that Mary should help her. Instead, she received a gentle rebuke.
It seems Martha had skewed priorities.
Overwhelmed with busyness, she had forgotten the most important thing: Jesus’ presence.
The gift of presence is always primary to our service.
There was nothing wrong with Martha’s service. It’s just that it had taken center stage to Jesus. She had confined Jesus to the living room while exerting all of her efforts in the kitchen.
With this thought in mind, the question begs to ask: When Jesus comes to visit, where does He find you?
Like Martha, are you too busy bustling about to sit at His feet and breathe in the moment?
Perhaps you spend all of your time in front of the dressing room mirror, grooming to look your best, straining to cover every facial blemish before daring to be seen.
Maybe you’re busy rummaging through your closet, trying on one outfit after another, yet never finding something that fits just right or you deem appropriate for the occasion.
Or maybe you hide altogether, afraid of being noticed, locking yourself in a separate room while pretending you’re not at home.
Regardless of the chosen method, we all make excuses for missing out on time spent with God. When His holiness comes knocking, seldom is our first instinct to rush and nestle at His feet. Instead, we turn to what is known and familiar.
We feel ill-prepared. So we hurry to perform, doing what always seems expected of us. We must make something to bring to Jesus instead of daring to approach our Savior empty-handed. We bow to our acts of service before we bow before His feet.
We feel inadequate. We can’t possibly allow Jesus to see us without our makeup smoothed across our face or with our hair disheveled. We spend hours attempting to make ourselves appear more appealing, more desirable. Only we never quite feel ready enough to be seen.
We are embarrassed and uncomfortable. We pull out every possible wardrobe option yet still have nothing to wear. We’ve allowed so much worldly snacking to seep into our life that the robe of righteousness Jesus gifted us no longer fits our frame comfortably. How can we possibly show up in these stained and frumpy sweatpants?
We are afraid. Too convinced we will be a disappointment to Jesus. Like we are to so many others. Certain we will let Him down, just like we always seem to do with everyone else. So we hide.
Worried about all the wrong things, we forget the most important thing.
Until Jesus Himself reminds us.
Jesus does not need us to feed Him. After all, He is the Bread of Life. He is the One who supplies all things, not us.
He does not need us to try to cover our flaws. He sees us as we are and loves us completely.
He does not need us to struggle to force His righteousness to fit our frame. His Spirit will make the necessary adjustments.
He does not want us to hide for fear of rejection. He has already proven His love for us is unconditional and limitless.
He just wants us to come.
Only one thing is needed, beloved.
It’s time to choose that better thing.
So come as you are.
Be it empty-handed, flawed, insecure, or scared.
Just come.
And let Jesus Himself remind you again that He is all you need.
You are anxious and troubled about many things; but one thing is necessary, only one . . .