Are You Positioned For Success?

Luke 10:38-42 NIV
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

This account is brief, but it gives such a powerful message. As you are positioning yourself for success, don't be so busy with things that you miss out on God. Martha's argument is one that surely many of us would make. I am preparing for Jesus and I need help. That sounds good, reasonable, and fair. I am confident that Martha said it with an air of self satisfaction. Look at ME Jesus, I'm working while she just sits.

Martha made the mistake that so many Christians make. We fail to see the value in someone else's position. Martha thought that being upright, moving about, and making preparations was the best position for success. From her viewpoint, Mary would gain nothing from sitting at the feet of Jesus. Clearly Martha was not familiar with the story of Ruth and how her elevation came only once she positioned herself at Boaz's feet. (Read the book of Ruth for this enlightening story.)

Martha was also guilty of having lost focus. She thought that success would be measured by whether or not the tasks that she'd set her mind upon would be pleasing to those in her presence. The true measure of success for Martha and for us all is whether or not we have opened our hearts to receive the gift of life from Jesus. Mary understood this and positioned herself accordingly. Ask yourself does my position mirror Mary's or Martha's?
Adayinthelife:-)