We are bombarded with choices today, and they are not going away anytime soon. This morning we had the privilege of hearing from Jim Kallam, who is the Sr. Pastor of Church at Charlotte. Jim shared with us insight from Luke 10:38-42 where Jesus is interacting with Mary and Martha. Martha was busy “doing” things to make sure that her guest, Jesus, was well cared for, while Mary was content sitting at the feet of Jesus. Martha becomes very angry with Mary and even says to Jesus, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”

3 words to describe Martha:

1. DISTRACTED (v40) – distracted means, “to be pulled in many different directions”

A. Declutter your life – don’t keep adding to your calendar.

B. Determine priorities – you can’t do it all! (Don’t live life above the “red line”)

C. Develop parameters – “God loves me, and everyone else has a plan for my life.”

2. ANXIOUS (v41) – Martha is conflicted, and is probably concerned that Jesus won’t like the meal. Anxious thought leads to, “What will people think about me?”

3. TROUBLED (v41) – troubled means, “thrown into an uproar”. Martha says to Jesus, “why don’t you care?” Why would she assume that Jesus doesn’t care? Jesus isn’t doing what she wants Him to do…

Mary on the other hand:

v42 – There is only one thing that is necessary – spend time in Christ’s presence. Jesus is telling Martha that He wants her heart. Example – the Sermon on the Mount is about the heart. Jesus also spoke to the Pharisees heart.

Oswald Chambers made the statement, “Never make a principle out of your own experiences, but let God be original with other people as He is with you.” We all can connect with the Father around the “one thing” that is necessary. It could take the form of: journaling, walking, praying, reflecting, running, in the morning, in the evening, sitting and listening to music, meditating on a verse, memorizing, etc… Find out what works for you and keep coming back to it!

As a church, we have a mission to make disciples of those nearest, our neighbors, and the nations. As disciples, we want have an abundant Life in Christ. We understand that we must “BE” in Christ before we can “DO” anything with the Nearest, our Neighbors, and the Nations.

1. Are you more consumed by what you are doing than who you are being? How does that show itself?

2. Has there been a time when Jesus did not meet your expectations? How did you respond? (could be around health, relationships, finances, etc…)

3. What does it look like for YOU to spend time with Jesus? What is that one thing?

4. Will you declutter your calendar enough to make time to be with Jesus instead of always doing? When?

Father, thank you for wanting to spend time with me. I am so sorry that I have gotten so caught up with busyness and doing, that I have forgotten how to be with you. Please show me where I need to make adjustments to my life in order to be with you. I believe You that being with You will change everything. Help me live out “It’s better to be than to do, because if you are, you will.” I want that for my life, and I know that You know what is best for me. Help me to live below the “red line” of burnout so that I can live abundantly in You and for You.