Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
This passage of scripture describes for us in a very practical, hands-on way, the sacred truth that God must be first in all of our planning and consequent actions. Here we have a situation where Christ was hungry, and in order to meet an important need, food was being prepared in the household of Mary and Martha. However, Mary was concerned more about listening to the spiritual truths that fell from Christ's lips, while Martha was consumed with the preparation of the food. Now it's important to note that both Mary and Martha loved Jesus a whole lot, but the way in which that love was manifested made all the difference.
Martha's love for Christ was being manifested in the active service of cooking and serving food, whilst Mary's love for Him was manifested in spending quality time with Him. Jesus did not rebuke Martha for doing something that was obviously good, but what He tried to correct is the way she prioritized service over relationship. The Bible tells us as Christians that we should seek first, the kingdom of God, but we should take some time to understand what is meant by "The kingdom of God", for the scriptures do not leave us in doubt. Let's read:
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
In our day there are millions of Christians and other people who sincerely love God, yet we should all be careful not to let our willing service for Him, in the administration of the temporal needs and services that arise from time to time, to eclipse the much more important spiritual aspect of His kingdom, such as spending quality time communing with Him, for this is what He desires most, and as stated in the passage for today, is urgently needed.
A God-fearing husband will certainly appreciate the efforts made by his wife to please him, when she goes shopping for him, and prepares his meals, and washes his clothes, and does all of the home duties that a godly wife does. Yet what is much more important to both of them as far as a deep relationship is concerned, is the quality time they spend in each other's presence, not worrying about the cares of life, but just simply enjoying each other's company.
On a much larger and important scale is the way in which we should always prioritize our communion with God as being first and foremost, after which the practical manifestations of love through service, and kindly deeds will be executed and sustained in a well balanced, and even-handed manner. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls us to a correct balance between the spiritual and the temporal aspects of the kingdom of God, and if by His grace we were to put everything in its rightful place, we will never become worn out or spiritually drained, for our strength and energy would be renewed on a daily basis. Let's read:
Isaiah 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
May this be our experience both now and forever. God bless!