“Now as they went on their way, [Jesus] entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:38-42.

The Gospel from Luke 10 gives the account of Jesus’ visit with Martha and Mary. In our contemporary culture, which is production-oriented, Martha and Mary’s story warns us against prioritizing minor tasks over spiritual growth; hence, the necessity of prioritizing spiritual growth over worldly tasks and church maintenance. Beyond the standard view of balancing the active versus the contemplative life, the ‘story emphasizes that while serving others is important, it should not come at the expense of our relationship with God. We need to find a balance between serving and spending time in prayer, worship, and studying God’s word.’ Serving is at the core of Christian identity. Still, when our service turns into the thing we worship instead of the way we worship, we find ourselves trapped in the same anxiety and worry that troubled Martha.

Active, practical service to God is essential and good. Our first and most important priority is love and devotion to Jesus Christ, expressed simply in time spent with Him – worshipping, listening, and learning from His Word (Matt 26:13). This is the way of life and attitude of a disciple. Jesus’ correction of Martha, calling her name twice, was an invitation for Martha to reassess her priorities and reorient her focus from her tasks to His presence. The summary of what Jesus asks of Mary, or you, or me is to be present with Him. The major and ‘one thing needed’ by any of us is to be fully present in Jesus’ presence.

Service without devotion is dangerous to the growth and health of the church, just as Martha’s well-intentioned service overshadowed her passion and dedication. However, there cannot be devotion without service; hence, Mary’s devotional choice was seen as the “better part.” Martha’s majoring in the minor is rooted in cultural relevance, justice, affirmation, and inclusion. In contrast, Mary is rooted in and focuses on transformation through Jesus Christ, as found in Scripture and the Gospel, and biblical faithfulness.

Martha’s experience of correction from Jesus is essential for spiritual maturity, having humility to admit when we are wrong. Indeed, a teachable heart is always open to Jesus’ guidance and a desire to grow. Martha was allowed to shift her perspective from her tasks to the eternal value of being with Jesus.

When Martha became preoccupied with impressing her guests, Jesus revealed to her that only ‘one thing is needed’ (Lk. 10:42). Martha intended to show hospitality, which is a positive act, forgetting that except the Lord builds the house, the laborers labor in vain. In contrast, Mary prioritises spiritual growth over practical tasks. Our Christian and leadership identity is not found in our titles, positions, hierarchy, or activities, but in ‘one thing.’ His presence. Out of God’s presence, everyone becomes a law unto themself, doing their own thing. Many churches and individuals are becoming law unto themselves, doing their thing, thereby majoring in minors and church decline.

The tragedy facing the church today is that of a very busy church, yet one that is guilty, and ultimately, spiritually stagnant. Martha’s busyness led to distraction and potential spiritual stagnation. When we neglect our devotional practice and spiritual life, we not only hinder our personal growth but also decline as a church. Are we so busy doing the Lord’s work that we do not take time to enjoy the Lord’s presence? Are we so busy supposedly doing things for God that we don’t take the time to be with God? This is what the church and leadership need most. Until the church and its leadership get that ‘one thing’ right, everything else will not fall into place.