A Few Things Are Needed

"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 10:38-42 paints a familiar scene: Jesus visits two sisters, Martha and Mary. Both love Him deeply, but their responses reveal two sides of our spiritual life. Martha opens her home to Jesus, an act of faith and hospitality, but soon becomes distracted by the details of serving. Mary, on the other hand, sits at Jesus’ feet, fully present and listening to His words.

Neither sister’s desire was wrong. Martha’s service came from love, but her focus drifted from who she was serving to what she was doing. Jesus gently redirects her: “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.”

The “one thing” is intimacy with Christ. In a world full of deadlines, demands, and distractions, Jesus reminds us that sitting with Him will always outweigh doing for Him. True service flows best from time spent in His presence.

Like Martha, it’s easy to let busyness steal the joy of being with Jesus. But like Mary, we are invited daily to choose what is better; to sit, listen, and let His words fill us before we pour out to others.

Practical Application
Slow down before you serve:
Begin your day in prayer or Scripture before jumping into tasks. Serving from overflow is better than serving from exhaustion.

Check your heart posture:
Ask, “Am I focused on Jesus or just on my to-do list?”

Prioritize presence over productivity:
Schedule time each day to sit with God, no agenda, just relationship.

Refuel spiritually:
When you feel frustrated or overwhelmed, pause and realign your focus back to the One who called you.

Father, I thank You for the story of Rahab, a reminder that faith can rewrite any past. Help me to trust You enough to act courageously, to align my life with Your will, and to believe that You can use me for something greater. May my life be a testimony of Your transforming grace. Amen.

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-Pastor Dwight