"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 10:41–42
Our lives are full. The world constantly demands that we do more, achieve more, and perform more—falsely convincing us that busyness is the ultimate measure of our worth. Yet, deep down, we know a simpler truth: an accumulation of tasks breeds anxiety, while the removal of distractions clears the space we need to listen. When life moves at a frantic pace, slowing down to pay attention becomes our most difficult battle.
Not long ago, I was absorbed in organizing a major conference on theology and the arts. We had an exceptional committee in place, and we were filled with anticipation to share this vision with our community. Then, in a single moment, everything halted. My young son suffered a sudden seizure and stopped breathing for a full minute. I had to administer CPR until his breath finally returned. In those terrifying moments, looking down at my son, all my grand plans evaporated into a single prayer: “Just stay alive. Nothing else matters.”
After the crisis passed, a profound wave of clarity washed over me. I realized how easily I could allow my heavy responsibilities to drown out the quiet presence required to listen to God. While there may never be a perfect formula for balancing our time, I sensed a clear invitation from God to pause and listen to Him.
This same tension sits at the heart of the story of Martha and Mary. Like many of us, Martha was engaged in a noble task—hospitality. Yet, her heart became overwhelmed by the sheer volume of her duties. Her focus shifted outward, and she began comparing her workload to Mary’s, complaining to Jesus that it was unfair for her sister to just sit there while she did all the work (v. 40). Jesus gently reframed her perspective, reminding her that only one thing was truly needed: listening to what He says (vv. 41–42).
Discipleship requires a harmonious rhythm of both service (Martha) and reflection (Mary). In ministry, both are vital. Even in the creative life of an artist, we require both the time to produce and the time to receive from outside ourselves. Sadly, when busyness takes over, our unhurried time to pray is often the first thing we sacrifice. Mary’s posture reminds us that God cares far more about who we are with Him than what we achieve for Him.
In a culture that never sleeps, listening to the voice of Jesus is an act of holy courage. May we have the courage to choose what Mary chose: sitting in His presence and listening to Him. From that quiet place of intimacy with our Lord, our work is beautifully reshaped—moving away from anxious performance and into the freedom of a faithful offering.
