One Thing Matters

How many of you, if I asked you, would say that your life is busy? Is there anything you would like to do if you just had more time in the days? I read an article this week about the work habits of American culture that I found so interesting. In actuality, we are less busy than any society ever has been. The Department of Labor started keeping track of American work trends in 1948, at which time the average individual worked 42.8 hours a week. When the article was published in 2019, the average workweek had decreased to just 38.7 hours (Kowalski, 2019). Even more significantly than that, modern conveniences have decreased the work that we’re required to do to maintain a home. In the 1950’s, the average American woman spent an estimated 57 hours a week on housework. Today the average American family spends only 2 hours a week actively doing housework, as a result of things like washing machines, dishwashers, rumbas, and food delivery (Hines, 2016). As a society, we’re working less than ever before, even though we reportedly feel busier (Kowalski, 2019).

So, this begs the question: Why do we feel so busy? We actually have significantly more time than people had fifty years ago, but the majority of people report having no free time. Well, part of the reason for this is that our time is often being filled unintentionally, by all the media and entertainment that surrounds us. Aside from that entertainment, there is just a lot more to do now than there ever has been, and we have filled our time with all kinds of things that may or may not be productive. The reality is that being busy, even if it’s with important or necessary things, can distract us from what’s important. That fact transcends both time and culture.

You may be wondering where I’m going with all of this. Besides the fact that I think it’s interesting, I want to share with you something the Lord laid on my heart this week. In the midst of a culture that glorifies being busy, sometimes the right thing to do will seem unproductive. We can see this in the book of Luke, where we read the story of Jesus in the home of a woman named Martha. The Bible says,

“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.” (Luke 10:38-40)

Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. What a privilege that would have been! Can you imagine the preparations you’d make if Jesus were coming to dinner? She obviously loved him and wanted to honor him, but the Bible says that she was distracted by much serving. Now, Martha doesn’t seem in the wrong here, right? She’s working hard, alone, so she implores Jesus to make Mary help her. Jesus responded,

“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 10:41-42)

The  Bible doesn’t tell us how Martha responded, but I imagine she must have been surprised. Anxious and troubled about many things? Martha was doing those things for Jesus. However, they weren’t the right things to be doing in that moment. Martha was so busy that she missed the opportunity to be with the One she was trying so hard to honor. Mary shut out the distractions and sat at the feet of Jesus, hearing nothing but what He was saying. She wasn’t so caught up with what she could be doing for Jesus, that she missed the privilege of being with Him. Jesus affirmed her decision telling Martha, “Only one thing is necessary.” Another translation says, “only one thing matters.” Yes, there is a time to work and to serve. Work I s necessary! There are always going to be things that have to be done, in life. However, in the midst of all of the things we have to do, there is actually only one thing that is necessary, and it’s the presence of God. Jesus was in the room, and Martha was missing it!

How often do we take time to stop what we’re doing, shut out the noise, and sit at the feet of Jesus? The Bible tells us that Jesus is the rest our souls need. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” People feel busy and tired, because the only rest they will ever find is in the presence of Jesus! If we don’t spend time with Him, we will feel as frazzled as the world, but we are not like the world! We are called to be a peculiar people who live and breathe the presence of God. When the people of Israel came out of Egypt, God had to teach them how to depend on His presence. In Numbers 9:15-23, the Bible tells us that the entire camp would move only when the cloud of the Lord’s presence would lift from the tabernacle. It says:

“So it was always: the cloud covered [the tabernacle] by day and the appearance of fire by night…As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. Sometimes the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the LORD they remained in camp; then according to the command of the LORD they set out. Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out.” (Numbers 9:15-23)

Regardless of how long His presence rested on the tabernacle, the people of Israel didn’t move until God did. Whether it was a day or six months, they stayed until He moved. It’s easy to forget, because we’re in the world, that we’re not called to be like it. Regardless of how busy life gets, or how hectic the world around you may seem: only one thing is necessary. Only one thing matters, and it is sitting at the feet of Jesus and hearing what He says. As believers, we have the Holy Spirit on the inside of us. We are now the tabernacle. We have the promise that He will lead us and He is a good shepherd. When He moves, move. When He stays, stay. There are so many things to be distracted with—even good things. What Martha was doing was not wrong, it just wasn’t right in that moment, because Jesus was in the room. I want to encourage you this week to take time to rest from your work, in His presence. I want to remind you, as I was reminded, that God isn’t impressed by our busyness, even if we’re busy with good things. He wants our hearts, our obedience, and our time. In the midst of whatever you’re concerned with this week, however important it may seem, only one thing matters, and when we choose the portion of His presence, it will not be taken away!