Needful Things

 

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “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.” (Luke 10:38-42 ESV).

 

I am often amazed by others speaking with such assurance and authority about what we “need.” Often it is rooted in something we need to do or become. It is often a task or group goal dealing with a need for volunteers or financial support. It is always performance oriented. Our reading today has an interesting response from Jesus that ought to prompt us to reevaluate our priorities concerning “Needful Things.” Jesus says, “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.” (v. 42).

 

We are such a performance oriented culture. We have become so accustomed to measuring our success by our behavior. We believe the bigger, better, faster philosophy of our technologically driven way of life. If it is bigger, better, and faster we must be going in the right direction. Therefore we chase the newest developments and products that will help us to be better. Of course, developments in technology and manufacturing have made our lives easier and more productive in many ways, but that is not the “good portion” Jesus is talking about. One thing is needful… get that and all the other things will come as well.

 

That one thing is to remain in the presence of Jesus. That means being centered in Him for every decision, practice, or service we attempt. Recently while reading from The Valley of Vision, which is a compilation of Puritan prayers and devotions, I read an entry that ended with the following:

 

“Fill the garden of my soul with the wind of love, that the scents of the Christian life may be wafted to others; then come and gather fruits to thy glory.”

 

Make that your prayer and practice today. That is needful.