Does God Want Perfection Or Me?

And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to Him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” Luke 10:39-40

What is perfection? Is it found in an oven timer? Every dish in the sink put away? Is it every hair in place when the guests arrive?

Our lives, no doubt, can be busy from one moment to the next. It can be a constant pursuit to be all things to all people. To say the right words, maintain a close-knit family, be in attendance for every meeting, game, gathering, and ceremony. But Jesus would have us to slow down, stop even, to listen and to worship willfully, humbly, and joyfully on Him, our “good portion.” To take a breather, sit at His feet, and just trust that there is priority and place in Jesus Christ.

Worship and Obligation

God saw fit for our feet, our hands, our heart, and our mind to all have obligations (Genesis 2:15). All committed to what we do in the course of a day, a week, and lifetime. But our spirit has to be attended to as well, even more so, to not “neglect such a great salvation.”

We Christians are encouraged and cautioned to “pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it” (Hebrews 2:1).To place the Word, Jesus Christ, as priority one. For us to place responsibilities: family, good works, and hospitality in view of the cross, Jesus’ victory, not in a well-organized list of things to do.

Sanctuary and Service

Miracles, healings, and belief followed Jesus’ message and ministry. His mission, his drive, and his Father’s business spread through every town He visited. And when he arrived in the village of Bethany, Martha welcomed Him into her home with a chair to rest His feet and the smell of a delicious meal floating through the air. Her hands moved in service. Her feet moved in procession. Her heart moved in declaration. And her mind moved on to her sister, Mary.

Mary had left the preparations to go and worship. To be planted at His feet. To be a listening disciple, a vessel poured in to. Both sisters rejoiced, uniquely. But in work and in worship Jesus chose to take notice in Mary who sat aside temporal for eternal:

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

Work and the Bread of Life

Jesus is well aware of work, obligations, and hospitality (Luke 2:52). He just places them in comparison to things eternal, “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life…” (John 6:27).

Yes, we Christians are well-equipped through the spirit of Christ to do all things (Philippians 4:13), with our interests and outlook towards God.

So let’s go Christians, perfection is found at the feet of Christ.

© tahlitha chadwick

Tags: Christianity, encouragement, faith, family, God, Jesus, perfection, praise, priorities, Purpose, relationships, worship