Life-Giving Bible Verses for Womenਨਮੂਨਾ

When You’re Striving to “Do” for the Lord

Martha’s heart was noble—the long-awaited Messiah was in her home, and she wanted to serve Him. If there was ever a time to rush around, it was now! When she saw Mary learning at Jesus’s feet instead of helping her prepare a meal, she may have questioned her sister’s devotion to Him. After all, wasn’t doing the most valuable way to show your love? Jesus gently broadened Martha’s vision, for though her motives were pure, she was missing out on the beautiful gift Jesus offered her. Mary had grasped a precious truth Jesus wanted Martha to understand: God’s work in her was just as valuable as His work through her.

Many of us approach our relationship to Jesus like Martha did, viewing it solely in terms of the measurable value we can bring to His kingdom. Our logic is often faulty: We strive to work for the Lord so that others might be drawn into deep relationship with Jesus, but we don’t think we have the privilege of resting in that relationship ourselves. We view God as our employer rather than as our Father.

Like Martha, though our motives may be good, we are missing out on the fullness of what Jesus offers. God works in the hidden places of our hearts when we read His Word, when we wrestle in prayer, when we sit still before Him with no checklist or agenda. This is the “good portion” that Jesus describes. Our God is not a utilitarian God. He is the God who leaves the ninety-nine sheep to find the missing one, and when He finds it, He feeds and cares for it.

You are not His distant employee, but His beloved daughter. God’s work in you is just as valuable as His work through you. Receive the good portion that Jesus offers you and embrace the joy of sitting in His presence and watching Him transform you from the inside out.

Pray: Jesus, teach me to sit at Your feet and learn from You like Mary. Help me to embrace my identity as Your beloved daughter. Broaden my vision and deepen my understanding that I may experience the fullness of relationship with You.