Choosing the Better Portion: Finding Purpose in the Busyness of Life

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant demands on our time and attention. We rush from one task to another, often feeling like we're barely keeping our heads above water. But what if, in all our busyness, we're missing out on what truly matters?
This question lies at the heart of a profound story found in Luke 10:38-42. It's a tale of two sisters, Martha and Mary, and their encounter with Jesus that teaches us valuable lessons about prioritizing what's truly important in life.
The story begins with Martha welcoming Jesus into her home. It's a simple act of hospitality, but one that reminds us of an important truth: we can serve God right where we are. Too often, we think we need to reach a certain level of perfection or be in a specific place before God can use us. But Martha's example shows us that our calling begins exactly where we are.
This is a comforting thought. God isn't waiting for some future, idealized version of ourselves. He wants to use us now, with all our flaws and imperfections. Whether we're tending sheep like David, going about our daily work, or simply opening our homes to others, God can use us right where we are.
As the story unfolds, we see Martha busying herself with preparations, while her sister Mary sits at Jesus' feet, listening to his teaching. Martha, distracted by all the serving, eventually complains to Jesus about Mary's lack of help.
This scene illustrates a second crucial lesson: the importance of being faithful in small things. Martha's service wasn't wrong in itself. In fact, her desire to serve Jesus was commendable. The issue was that her serving had become a distraction, pulling her focus away from what was truly important.
How often do we find ourselves in Martha's shoes, so caught up in doing good things that we miss out on the best thing? It's a reminder that it's possible to be too busy, even with good activities. Our faithfulness isn't just about what we do, but about the attitude and spirit with which we do it.
The apostle Paul captures this beautifully in 1 Corinthians 10:31, urging us to do everything for the glory of God, whether eating, drinking, or anything else. This means that even the most mundane tasks can become acts of worship when done with the right spirit. A mother caring for her children, a worker diligently performing their job, or a volunteer serving in their community – all of these can be powerful expressions of devotion to God when done with the right heart.
Jesus' response to Martha brings us to the heart of the matter: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
This brings us to our final and perhaps most important lesson: we are called to choose what lasts. Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to his words. In doing so, she was focusing on the eternal rather than the temporary, the important rather than just the urgent.
It's a poignant reminder for us today. In a world that constantly demands our attention, are we choosing to focus on what truly matters? Are we, like Mary, taking time to sit at Jesus' feet, to listen to his words, and to cultivate a relationship with him?
This choice between the temporary and the eternal becomes starkly clear in moments of crisis. Consider the story of a man on his deathbed, struggling to breathe, yet using his last moments to declare to everyone who entered his room: "Jesus Christ is Lord." In that critical moment, all the urgent things of life faded away, and only what was truly important remained.
The invitation Jesus extended to Mary is the same one he extends to us today: Come, sit at my feet. Listen to my words. Spend time with me. It's an invitation to choose the better portion, to focus on what will truly satisfy and sustain us.
This doesn't mean we neglect our responsibilities or the tasks before us. Rather, it's about reorienting our priorities and approaching even our busiest moments with a spirit of devotion to God. It's about finding ways to glorify God in the midst of our daily lives – praying with our children on the way to school, listening to stories about Jesus, or simply pausing to acknowledge God's presence in our day.
As we reflect on this story, we're challenged to examine our own lives. What are we choosing? Are we, like Martha, distracted by many things? Or are we, like Mary, choosing the better portion?
The good news is that it's never too late to make this choice. Even Martha, who initially struggled with distraction, later made one of the most profound declarations of faith recorded in Scripture. When Jesus arrived after the death of her brother Lazarus, it was Martha who ran to meet him, declaring, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world" (John 11:27).
This transformation in Martha's life gives us hope. No matter how busy or distracted we may have been, we can always choose to refocus on what truly matters. We can choose to sit at Jesus' feet, to listen to his words, and to cultivate a relationship with him that will sustain us through all of life's challenges.
In the end, the choice is ours. Will we allow ourselves to be consumed by the temporary things of this world? Or will we choose the better portion – a relationship with Jesus that satisfies our deepest longings and gives purpose to our busy lives?
As we go about our daily routines, let's remember to pause, to listen, and to choose what lasts. In doing so, we may find that even in the midst of life's busyness, we can experience the peace, purpose, and fulfillment that come from sitting at the feet of Jesus.