Scripture: Luke 10:38-42:

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'

'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'"

Hospitality as Worship:

Martha’s desire to serve was a form of worship. Her way of showing love to Jesus was by ensuring He felt honored and cared for in her home. This reflects our own efforts in service—whether it’s volunteering at church, helping others, or opening our homes. But the key is remembering that our relationship with Jesus matters more than the tasks we complete for Him.

Distracted

Martha wasn’t wrong for serving Jesus. Her mistake was letting the preparations overshadow the reason for her service, being present with Jesus.

Choosing the Better Way

How do we choose what is better? It starts by understanding that the relationship comes before the responsibilities. Yes, the preparations matter, but only after we have taken the time to listen. Choosing what is better means we prioritize the presence of Jesus over the business of life. It means letting go of the need to always be productive and instead being open to simply rest in Him.