One Thing

"One thing only is required." 

Luke 10:42

I am more of a Martha than a Mary in a way. Although I am seldom busy in matters of the household, I am never idle unless I am sick. These days I am pinning cloth for a livelihood project, preparing items for an auction for a friend, and wrapping Christmas gifts. When Martha complained to Jesus about her sister Mary, He kindly reminded her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and upset about many things; only one thing is required. Mary has chosen the better portion and she shall not be deprived of it." 

If we ask people, they would say they pray usually at the end of the day, after they've done all their work, usually when they are tired and sleepy. And Scripture, maybe once or twice a week? Once a month? But Jesus in his reminder to Martha tells us in no uncertain terms, that listening to Him is SO important. Sitting at His feet and getting to know Him and His words will produce more results than any labor we do. 

We can get so disheartened about life sometimes, maybe our work, or relationships gone bad, sickness, finances, what's happening in our country... But what can get us through any seemingly hopeless situation is not racking our brains for a solution, but prayer and reading the Word of God. I heard about this experiment with rats put in water. Some rats were in a dark room and they drowned right away. Others were in a lighted room and they kept swimming for about 72 hours more than the rats in a dark room. The difference? Hope.

Hope is not tangible. We cannot buy it anywhere. Same with peace. Same with joy. But we cannot live a blessed life without these gifts from God. Indeed to be surrounded by His favor, we need only one thing.