Worth Being Concerned About

Issue 1.19

"As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, 'Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.'

"But the Lord said to her, 'My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it--and I won't take it away from her.'" - Luke 10:38-42 (NLT)

In this narrative, Luke illustrates:

The importance of the personal devotional life (vs. 42).
That "one thing worth being concerned about" is really the foundation for our ministry efforts. Time for God cannot be effective unless we spend time with God.

The choice of the personal devotional life (vs. 42b).
When it comes to spending time in prayer or God's Word, we either choose for it or against it. What has your choice been?

The ingredients of the personal devotional life (vs. 39).
Mary didn't have complex methods or rigid routines. She simply sat at the Lord's feet (humility, earnestness, priorities), and listened to what He taught (openness and interest).

The value of the personal devotional life (vs. 42).
Time with God is better spent than time concerned with any other aspect of life or ministry. Even in the face of ministry needs, Jesus wasn't willing to take away that "one thing" from Mary.

(Adapted from Pastor Bobby Moore, from his message entitled, "What is the Personal Devotional Life?" presented at Life Action's Revival Week, 2003).

Making It Personal:

What is the personal devotional life?

As a church leader or influencer, could people look to you as an example of intimacy with God?

How could you encourage (and equip) your church to avoid the "Martha" syndrome and focus on the "one thing worth being concerned about"?