What’s Good vs. What’s Best

A restful, rejuvenating July has ended, and August has arrived with a quickness. Our new homeschool year starts next week. Last year was our first to teach both kiddos at the same time, and whoo-boy! Was it an experience! It didn’t help that life threw more curveballs our way than a major-league pitcher. Because of all the interruptions, we didn’t finish classes until late in June. While the boys learned well and rolled with all the disruptions, as the primary teacher I struggled. The entire year felt like an uphill battle! While I certainly don't expect things to run smoothly every single day, surely this next year could feel a little less like pulling teeth!

As I've reflected on all that went right and (more so) wrong this past academic year, I've been prayerfully seeking God about what needs to change for the future. God has steered my thoughts toward the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42. You may be familiar with this passage. While their friend Jesus is visiting them, Martha is busy doing all.the.things to be a good hostess while Mary is sitting and listening (loafing?) at Jesus' feet. Overworked, frustrated, and alone, Martha boldly accuses Jesus of not caring and demands He tell her sister to come help her.

Let's pause for a moment. Many of us can easily relate to the busyness of Martha, but let's not forget she was busy doing good things. It was good to receive guests into her house and serve them. Similarly, it's good for us to serve others in our homes, churches, workplaces, and other places we go.

Jesus takes in Martha's accusations and frustrations with both grace and compassion. See, He does care. He does appreciate all the good things she's doing. He does see her and notice her efforts, just like He sees and notices you. Even so, He gives an answer she perhaps didn't expect.

Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." — Luke 10:41-42 (NKJV)

Jesus gently reminds Martha that yes, He sees her, but the good things she's busy doing are pulling her away from time with Him — the one thing she truly needs. Though we don't know how long He visited with them, Mary chose to spend that precious time in His presence, and Jesus politely (but firmly) refused to take that away from her.

You see, sometimes the good things that "demand" our time keep us too busy to spend time with Jesus, in His presence. My roles as wife, mom, teacher, and business owner are good things but none of them should keep me from spending time in God's Word and in prayer. To my shame, last year they often did, and the consequences to my stress level were obvious.

The word surrender keeps coming to my mind. What does it look like to truly surrender my own wants and desires and instead follow where He leads? Am I clinging to any of the "good things" in my life more than I cling to Him? What "good things" are pulling me away from sitting at His feet and listening to His voice? How can I set aside what's good in order to make time for what's best?

He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." — Luke 9:23 (NKJV)

Choosing Jesus over myself is a daily decision, a mindset to actively adobpt every time I wake up. Here's the encouraging part: If the good things you're doing have kept you from reading the Bible and spending time in prayer as much as you'd like, today is a fresh day! Today doesn't have to be a repeat of yesterday. Start now, this very hour. Set aside some of your "Martha cares" to make room for a "Mary moment" with Jesus. You'll be glad you did!