Locations & Times

You may have heard the story of Mary and Martha, but have you ever imagined what it might have felt like from Martha’s perspective? Imagine what she might have been thinking, how she might tell the story.

It was an ordinary day… until the man everyone was talking about—the one they believed might be the Messiah—walked into our village with His disciples. I knew He was important, so I invited them to my home for a meal. I wasn’t even sure they would accept, but Jesus said yes.

Suddenly, my sister Mary and I had a lot of work to do. My mind was full of tasks. Hospitality is no small thing. To me, it is love made visible. I moved from one task to the next, my hands never still, my thoughts racing. Everything had to be perfect. 

There are moments when heaven feels near, and yet all you can think about is whether the bread will burn.

I asked Mary to help; I don’t know how much time passed before I realized she hadn’t returned. When I finally looked up, I saw her sitting at Jesus’ feet, looking at him as if nothing else mattered.

She wasn’t even trying to help. Didn’t she care? Didn’t she see all that needed to be done?

Something in me tightened.

Trying to sound composed, I spoke up: “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me.” (Luke 10:40)

Honestly, I wasn’t just asking for help. I was asking to be seen. To be validated.

“Martha, Martha …”

The way Jesus said my name stopped me. It was gentle. It felt like He saw everything in me: my effort, my intentions, even my exhaustion.

“You are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41–42)

I couldn’t believe it. He was saying that Mary was doing the right thing … by not helping? What could matter more than the meal I was working so hard to prepare?

I turned back to my work, frustrated. But I started listening.

Jesus was talking about a conversation He had just had with a lawyer about how to receive eternal life. The lawyer, responding to Jesus' question had correctly answered, to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and our neighbor as ourself. (Luke 10:27 NKJV).

Those words stuck with me.

I realized—I wasn’t loving God with all my heart or mind in that moment. My thoughts were consumed with tasks and expectations I had placed on myself.

The lawyer had asked Jesus who his neighbor was, (hoping to justify his unloving actions toward some, I’m sure). Jesus told him a story about a Samaritan, who we Jews don’t like much, who stopped to help a stranger when others who should have, didn’t. It wasn’t just about doing—it was about seeing, about compassion, about presence.

Something in me began to shift. I realized I had been so focused on serving Jesus that I had missed simply being with Him. Mary hadn’t chosen laziness, she had chosen presence.

And I was beginning to understand why.

There was something about Jesus—steady, peaceful, full of truth. When I finally allowed myself to pay attention, I felt it too. So, I simplified the meal a bit. I let go of the pressure I had created and I joined them.

What stayed with me wasn’t the food, it was Him. The way he spoke with wisdom and love. The way His presence brought a kind of peace I had never known. Once I gave Him my full attention, I couldn’t get enough.

What about you?

Have you ever been so focused on doing things for God that you’ve missed being with Him?

As you go through your day, do you need to shift your focus, to be more aware of Jesus?

What would it look like to leave space—not for tasks, but for presence? 

If this encouraged you, check out more articles from our Flatirons Spiritual Formation Team for practical tools, encouragement, and ways to grow in your faith and leadership. Click here.