Jesus First, Service Second

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

  

I have little doubt that Martha would have done anything for Jesus because she loved Him dearly. Her struggle was neither loving Him nor serving Him. Her struggle was being still in His presence! She spent so much time serving Jesus that she had no time to worship Him, enjoy His company, or to get to know Him better. What I find interesting is the harder Martha worked, the more frustrated she became. Her sister Mary spent her time at the feet of Jesus while Martha dashed around the house making sure all was prepared just so-so for Jesus. Everything had to be perfect. Her service for the Lord may have started with gladness, but it rapidly declined into resentment.

Every Christ follower I know wants to serve the Lord. It’s just one way we express our love to Him for all He has done for us. But my dear friend, don’t become too busy, allowing your service to consume so much time that there is none left to enjoy the Lord who saved you. The highest priority of the Christ follower is the relationship we have with Him. Don’t let anything detract you from that. Sure, at times, our service for the Lord is the best way to experience Him. But listen, at other times it is more important to sit quietly at His feet—in pure worship of who He is and what He can do.

But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." (Luke 10:40)