The story of Mary and Martha provides an important balance to what we have been learning about serving God on mission. The parable of the Good Samaritan underscores the importance of practical love. But let’s not forget what Jesus said before telling this parable. He said that loving others is the second of the two greatest commandments. The first is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” (10:27). Martha is not rebuked for her faithful service, but she is corrected. Mary had her priorities right. If you have children, you should understand this. If you were to ask me what I most want from my children, I would say: ‘Their love.’ I also want them to be helpful, diligent, and productive. But I would be grieved if they were helpful, diligent and productive, but never spent time with me or never even hugged me. Most parents would agree with me on this. Why then do we think differently of God? Why do we think that God wants our service above all. And why do we think that if we fail to live up to God’s standards that he automatically rejects us? Do we think God loves us less than we love our children? You may fail in every area, but you must not fail in this: you must not fail to return to God every time you fail. He wants you to walk with him, however falteringly, because he loves you as his child. Mary had it right. She did the thing that most delights God.
Express your love to God and receive his love for you.
Read Luke 10:38-42
