Only One Thing is Needed

As I woke up this Monday morning, my mind went straight to the long list that awaited me, but my longing heart reminded me that only one thing is needed. I thought of everything that needs taken care of before I leave for work. I tried to figure out what I could squeeze in over my lunch hour, what I needed to take care of this evening, and how long the rest of my list could wait.

The dirty dishes and laundry are both piled up. The floors and bathrooms are filthy. My small business has orders waiting to be filled and shipped. The shopping needs finished. Gifts need wrapped. A big homework project is due. Dinner needs to get started in the crockpot before I leave for work, and when I get to work, I will face another whole list of deadlines to meet. All of these things need worked in around appointments, celebrations, class and Life Group. There are many things that I need to take care of this week, and I’m not sure I can get them all done.

I began praying before my feet hit the floor. Only one thing is needed.

We live in a fast-paced world, and sometimes I feel like I am rushing through my day at a speed of 100 million miles an hour. So many of us work outside the home these days and then have cooking, laundry, cleaning, shopping, yard work, house repairs and many other responsibilities waiting when we get home. This time of year, on top of the challenge of keeping up between our job and our family, we are extra busy preparing for the holidays by shopping for gifts, decorating, baking and planning the perfect family get-togethers.

Busyness in my life tends to creep in slowly and quietly, one thing at a time until all of a sudden, I become overwhelmed and overloaded. If I’m not careful, my priorities get mixed up and I find myself so busy doing what I think my family needs me to do that I miss out on the things that mean the most. Often, I don’t even realize what is happening until I find myself  irritable and I become resentful of those who have time to relax while I am hard at work.

 A long time ago, a woman named Martha opened her home to Jesus and his disciples as they were passing by. Her sister, Mary, was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to Him speak while Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

Needless to say, Martha was pretty frustrated. She finally went to Jesus and asked, “Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Jesus’ reply may have seemed a bit shocking to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).

Don’t get so busy with your holiday preparations that you don’t have time to enjoy the people who are important. Most of all, don’t get so caught up in what you think needs done that you don’t have time to spend listening at the feet of Jesus. If you sit quietly, he will whisper to your heart and remind you of what is truly important. Praying for a season focused on Jesus and the joy, peace and contentment that comes through him.