Day 26 — Sitting at Jesus’ Feet

“‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord replied, ‘you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.’”

— Luke 10:41–42 (BSB)

Jesus and His disciples were traveling, and a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. That was a big deal! Martha had a lot of guests to feed, and she wanted everything to be just right.

So Martha got busy. Cooking, cleaning, setting the table, bringing water. There was so much to do.

But her sister, Mary, wasn’t helping. She was sitting on the floor at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him teach.

Martha got more and more frustrated. Finally, she marched up to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!”

Have you ever felt like Martha? Doing all the work while someone else just sits there?

But Jesus answered gently: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion.”

Jesus wasn’t saying Martha’s work was bad. Serving is good! Hospitality is good! But Martha was so busy doing things for Jesus that she was missing time with Jesus. And she was so worried and upset that she couldn’t enjoy His presence.

Mary had chosen the most important thing: just being with Jesus.

Lots of girls are like Martha. Busy with school, sports, lessons, friends, chores and activities. Trying to do everything right. Worried about many things. And sometimes, in all that busyness, we forget to just sit with Jesus.

Jesus invites you to be like Mary. To slow down. To sit at His feet. To listen to Him. It doesn’t have to be long. Even a few minutes a day, reading His Word and talking to Him, can change everything.

And look at His promise: “it will not be taken away from her.” Time with Jesus is never wasted. Grades, awards and activities come and go. But the time you spend getting to know Jesus lasts forever.

Think about it: Are you more like Martha (busy and worried) or Mary (sitting with Jesus)? What keeps you from spending time with Him?

Try this: Set aside ten minutes today to be like Mary. Sit somewhere quiet, read a passage from one of the Gospels and just listen to Jesus.

Dear Jesus, I’m often busy and worried about many things, like Martha. Help me choose the good portion, like Mary. Help me slow down and sit at Your feet. Thank You that time with You is never wasted. In Your name, Amen.