The Better Part
Luke’s gospel tells us that Jesus entered a village “where a woman named Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, but few things are needed—indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’”
I find myself reflecting on this passage every year around this time. It’s so easy for us to get distracted by many tasks and forget to spend time sitting quietly with Jesus (who this whole season is supposed to be about). Much of what keeps us so busy seems important–even necessary–but at the end of the day only one thing is really required, and it is truly the better part. We have some good things going on in December (like Grinch Night, an Advent Bible study, and of course our Christmas Eve service), and I hope to see you at some of them, but even more than that I hope you’ll set aside some time for Jesus because his presence in our lives is the greatest present we ever receive. Have a blessed Advent.
Pastor Nate