When Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha, their individual responses to Him were very different. Martha’s focus was on the meal. Her aim was to please Jesus. But she made a common mistake; her work became more important than spending time with her Lord. What began as a serving experience became a self-serving one. She forgot the meal was to honour Jesus, not her. She said, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ (v. 40 NIV). And what did Jesus say? ‘Martha, Martha…you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed…Mary has chosen what is better’ (vv. 41-42 NIV). Mary chose intimacy with Jesus! The hazard of religious activity is that sometimes it’s designed to make us feel good about ourselves and look good in front of others. So it’s important that we’re discerning, and examine our motives carefully. Choosing activity over intimacy also happens to people who love the Lord and aren’t necessarily involved in church work. So many people reach the point of burnout because they’ve neglected their relationship with God. They never intended to; it’s just that they have learned to make it on their own and haven’t been forced to rely on Him. Or they’ve been ‘compartmentalising’ God – treating Him as just another appointment on Sunday mornings rather than someone we should spend every minute with. The fact that Jesus chose intimacy over activity teaches us a very important lesson: we’ll struggle to find our true purpose, enjoy the results of our efforts, and experience God’s peace and joy until we put our relationship with God at the centre of our lives.
