Listen to God

READ: LUKE 10:38-42

I often find myself caught up wondering if I’m doing enough for God or others. The Bible tells us to do good, serve God, and love others. All these things are important, but sometimes I can forget what’s most important.

In Luke 10, Martha is in a similar predicament. Jesus and His disciples were staying at her house, and Martha “was distracted with much serving” (verse 40). She was serving Jesus and His disciples and being hospitable, which seems good! But her sister Mary was not helping her serve. Rather, Mary “sat at Jesus’ feet,” taking the posture of a disciple and listening to His teaching (verse 39). Martha told Jesus to tell Mary to help her. But Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her” (verse 41-42).

It’s better to sit at Jesus’s feet and listen to Him than to be distracted with serving Him. It’s not about what we can do for Jesus, but what Jesus has done and is doing. God is calling us to be with Him and listen. We don’t need to be anxious about serving or doing “enough.” Jesus has already done enough. He died on the cross and rose from the grave, defeating sin and death. All we need to do is listen. When we come to Him in belief, He forgives our sins and gives us the Holy Spirit. Having the Holy Spirit means God dwells in us and we are always with Him. So we are always free to set aside the distractions and draw near to Him. • Elizabeth Cooper

• Have you been striving to do “enough” to serve God? How can knowing that Jesus has already done enough help us rest in Him?

• God calls us to serve Him, but He also calls us to listen to Him. What is the difference between serving God as we listen to and rely on Him, versus serving God as a distraction from listening to and being with Him? Who are trusted Christians you could talk with more about this?

• In some cultures and communities, being busy and sometimes overworking is seen as a good thing. But this is not the way of God’s kingdom (Matthew 11:28-30). Do you struggle with overworking yourself? How could you set aside time in your day just to rest and be with God?

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (WEB)