By: Steve Wilmot
In the movie City Slickers, Curly the seasoned cowboy asks the city slicker, “Do you know what the secret to life is?” “No. What?” Curly holds up one finger and says, “One thing. You stick to that and everything else don’t mean anything.” “That’s great, but what’s the one thing?” “That’s what you gotta figure out.”
Have you figured it out yet? If it’s the secret to life, you better. Once when Jesus needed some downtime, he traveled to the home of Martha and Mary in Bethany. The sisters’ response to his visit was diametrically opposed to each other.
Martha paid attention to things that would make Jesus feel at home. A spotlessly clean house. Jesus’ favorite meal cooked to perfection. A table set for a king. No one could out-hospitality Martha.
Mary, on the other hand, sat at Jesus’ feet listening to everything he had to say. She nearly fell over in laughter listening to some of his stories. His compassion for those who suffered drew her even closer to him. She could sit and listen to Jesus forever.
It ticked Martha off. “Look at her,” she hissed. “She’s lazy and leaving all the work to me. It’s not fair. She should help me so we can both relax and spend time with Jesus.”
She stomps up to Jesus and demands he make Mary help her. Jesus chuckles and informs Martha, “Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
To be clear, Jesus didn’t endorse a filthy house or an inhospitable attitude toward house guests. He merely emphasized that some things are more important than others. All Martha wanted to do was make Jesus comfortable, and that’s not wrong.
But that wasn’t the issue. The issue wasn’t right versus wrong; it was good versus better. Martha chose good; Mary chose better.
Don’t miss this: Mary chose. Out of all the options screaming for her attention, she selected the one thing Jesus singled out as most important.
There would always be housework to do, dishes to wash, beds to make, dinners to prepare and guests to host. But to listen to Jesus merits top priority.
It isn’t optional. It’s where you get your battery recharged and your tank refilled. It’s where you reconnect with the Power Source who galvanizes your resolve to follow Jesus no matter how hard that might be for you.
Where does unhurried time with Jesus rank on your priority list? What you do with your next 24 hours is your choice. You decide if it’s TV or Jesus. Video games or Jesus. Exercise or Jesus. Shopping or Jesus. Hanging out with friends or Jesus. Little decisions trigger big results.
Don’t misunderstand, there is nothing wrong with any of those things, per se. There’s a place for activities you enjoy. Jesus didn’t advocate you adopt a monk’s lifestyle and cut off human contact so you can be alone with your Bible and God 24/7.
The question boils down to which do you need most. Which is better. Which one gets crowded out of your schedule when time runs out. Does downtime with Jesus get any slice of your day?
Mary made her choice. So did Martha. Now it’s your turn. (Today’s column is adapted from one of Steve’s books — Do It Scared)
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Steve Wilmot is a former Edgerton, Ohio area pastor who now seeks “to still bear fruit in old age” through writing. He is the author of seven books designed to assist believers to make steady progress on their spiritual journey.
