June 30 I Wednesday

Job 17-19

Acts 10:1-23

“…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 10:42

We live in a fast-paced society. We are immersed in a culture of productivity and achievement. Those are not bad things in and of themselves, but we must ask the questions: Who determines when we have achieved enough? Who or what determines what success is in life? What if, in pursuing living life to its fullest, that pursuit puts us on a pace of life that is unsustainable? What does it mean to have enough? The Cambridge Dictionary defines “enough” as, “as much as is necessary, in the amount or to the degree that is needed.”  

      We are constantly bombarded with messages every single day that make us believe that we are missing something in our life. Companies pour millions of dollars into marketing strategies, trying to convince us that we need their product; when we achieve it, our life will be better. How do we declutter our lives and embrace the idea of enough? How do we simplify our lives so that we are able to embrace life as God intended? If we are not careful, these messages can start to set us into a pace of life that occupies us—maybe even with good things—which distracts and leads us away from God’s purposes in our lives. 

      As we consider the story of Mary and Martha, it teaches us an important lesson about the heart of the Christian life. When we consider the events leading to the story of Mary and Martha, it helps us understand why the Spirit prompted Luke to place this story there. Luke 10 begins with Jesus sending His disciples on a short-term mission trip. They come back after that mission experience on Cloud 9. They are at a high point in their ministry and are excited. They experienced the Holy Spirit empowering their ministry, giving them victory over the spiritual realm as they cast out demons. Afterwards, Jesus encounters an expert in the law who tests Him and Jesus answers with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus explains that compassion is to fill the life of the believer, and as Christians, we are to consider everybody our neighbour and serve them.

      These two events are about serving and doing. Much of the Christian life embodies pouring out our life for the sake of others. As the Spirit prompted Luke to recall the events at Mary and Martha’s home, he provides a fundamental lesson for us about the Christian life. All of our successes, achievements and work in life pale in comparison to the one thing that matters, and Mary made the right choice. Above all else, may we choose to pursue a living and active relationship with God. 

Prayer: Beautiful Lord, nothing that I could gain from this world matters, except a living and active relationship with You. Take me away from the distractions of this world and draw me nearer to Your heart. Thank You, Lord.