sitting at the feet of jesus
“But the Lord replied to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.’”
Yes, I know Jesus is addressing a woman named Martha, but I could swear He would say the same thing to me today.
“Leslie, Leslie, you’re anxious about the kids, your home, the economy, your health, your relationships, and many other things. They all serve a worthy purpose, but you’re giving them too much importance, and it’s causing you to miss out on the best I have for you. Come, sit with Me for a wink.”
Honestly, I always thought I related more to Mary in this story than to Martha. I will gladly shirk my housecleaning and cooking duties to sit at the feet of Jesus any day! You mean we have Jesus in our living room? Yes, please! *leaves boiling pot on the stove*
However, I find myself overwhelmed by the world around me. Jesus is calling me to His feet, but much like Martha, I keep getting distracted and making excuses, focusing on what I think He wants me to do. “Coming, Jesus! Just let me spend a sleepless night worrying about my kids’ school first.” Or “Almost there! I just couldn’t decide which route You wanted me to take to get here.”
As a society, we’ve succumbed to the idea that everything must happen all at once. We have to keep moving, keep doing, keep acting. No wonder our minds become jittery in silence and waiting. Work doesn’t stay at the office. Our children must not be bored. If there’s any lull, it’s an open opportunity to numb our minds with a temporary dopamine hit—through social media reels, self-help books, or binging the latest Netflix series.
But here’s the thing: so much of this is done with the best of intentions. We seek to serve our community and clients through our work. We want the very best for our families and want them to know and feel love. We yearn for rest and joy. Yet I know I’m personally guilty of avoiding the one place, the One Person, who fulfills all of it.
Jesus says that He came to give life, and not just any life, but life in abundance—life to the fullest, until it overflows! (John 10:10) Why wouldn’t I stop and sit at His feet?
The housecleaning can wait. I don’t need to have all the sourdough ready and the coffee made. I only need to have an open door. I can set aside my emails and put my phone on "Do Not Disturb" for a few hours—or even a whole Saturday (scandalous!). My family is capable of entertaining themselves, especially if I set the example of using the time to enjoy the presence of God. And honestly, I should probably limit how much power I give to entertainment.
There is a time to actively serve and “go” as we are commanded, but we cannot allow the doing to overshadow the sitting, drinking, and beholding. When we cast aside intimate conversation with the Lord and make excuses for not resting in His presence and His life-giving Word, we aren’t living life to the fullest. In fact, we are running on fumes and are certain to run out of gas.
How many times have I neglected my relationship with Jesus because I was “doing His work”? “I’m serving His church, and I have a job to do; I don’t have the time or capacity to rest!”
What kind of malarkey is that?
That’s the complete opposite of truth, yet somehow we tell ourselves this lie on a regular basis. We believe the work brings life when, in reality, it’s the Life that fuels our ability and desire to work.
Martha is frustrated with her sister because, while she’s working her tail off trying to serve the guests in her home and make them feel welcome—using her gifts to the best of her ability, wearing herself out—Mary is listening and finding rest.
Martha’s actions are worthy, but Jesus is sitting in her living room, presently, waiting to fill her with Life. Without the Life that Jesus provides, even worthy actions fall short. Worthy actions drain us without His Spirit in us. It is by Him and Him alone that we have the strength, courage, energy, and love to work—to serve.
Am I working to ease anxiety, feel in control, or check off a list of tasks? Or am I sitting in the presence of a gracious King whose Life overflows in us to serve His Church?
He is sitting in my living room. He’s waiting for you in yours.
Will you make a change with me? Will you take a deep breath in and, as you exhale, let go of outside expectations?
Praise Him for who He is. Ask Him to speak the truth of who you are. Sit in His embrace and rest.
You have a purpose, my friend. We were created to sit at His feet and worship. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Stop striving and sit at His feet for a wink.