Message Minute (The Great Enemy)

"But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made." - Luke 10:40

There's a story in the Bible about two sisters, Martha and Mary, that might hit a little too close to home. Both loved Jesus and wanted to honor Him, but they did it in completely different ways.

Martha was doing what we'd all consider good and necessary work. Someone had to cook the meal and clean the house, right? But the Bible says she was "distracted" by all the preparations. The original Greek word means "to be pulled apart in different directions"—scattered, overwhelmed by many things.

Here's the heartbreaking part: Martha was so busy serving Jesus that she completely missed Jesus. Sound familiar? How many of us are so busy doing things for God that we're missing God Himself?

Meanwhile, Mary chose what Jesus called "the better part." She sat at His feet, listened to His words, and was fully present to His presence. When Martha complained that Mary wasn't helping, Jesus defended Mary's choice, saying she had chosen the one thing that was necessary.

Here's a truth that might sting: hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life. Not sin, not doubt, not the culture around us—hurry. Because hurry makes us incapable of the very thing our hearts crave most: love.

Love requires presence. Love requires attention. Love requires time. But when you're always rushing to the next thing, you can't love well. You can't love your family well when you're mentally composing emails during dinner. And you certainly can't love God well when you're too busy to be still and know that He is God.

Reflection Question: Are you living more like Martha or Mary? What would it look like to choose "the better part" in your daily routine?

Prayer: Father, I confess that I've become a Martha. I'm so busy serving You that I'm missing You. Forgive me for choosing hurry over presence, productivity over intimacy. Help me to sit at Your feet like Mary and choose what will not be taken away. Amen.