Mary and Martha Worship and Serve

"Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 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.”
And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

If we are not 'in Christ,' our works are feign and useless in the Lord's Sight, as Jesus so eloquently illustrates through this short, simple story of two sisters; one who is distracted with much busyness and the other, reaping the benefits of Jesus' Presence; basking in His Spirit, in all joy and great peace.

Furthermore, excessive busyness can rob us of well-being, may lead to undue stress and exhaustion and can unwittingly detach us from our Lord's Divine Leading, which leaves us all on our own, in a world of works of the flesh and a severely lagging sense of true satisfaction.

Scriptural Examples

"And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat." (Mark 6:31)

Appropriate degrees of rest and nutrition are often times set aside and dismissed during times like these; times that can be completely avoided if we become wise to this arbitrary trap and choose godly Wisdom instead.

"Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;" (Psalm 127:1-2)

When we leave God out, our world is unstable and life is as unpredictable as the wind. We are severely lacking that solid foundation, tossed about; our houses may as well be built on sand. See Matthew 7:24-27.

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11)

The overly busy believer is at risk of becoming subject to all sorts of stress and strain and may find it difficult to take proper care of self, but Jesus has a much better plan. He wants us to have Holy Spirit joy; that is joy everlasting, which may not come easy for those who are under the illusion of busyness, as a virtuous and desirable quality for the soul.

However, to the contrary, this is not to be confused with hard work, which springs from a determined godly focus and is a healthy Christian goal/desire.

Scriptural Examples

Productivity Verses--

"that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you," (1Thessalonians 4:11)

"For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." (2Thessalonians 3:10)

In accordance with our God-given set of skills and talents, work is a blessed thing providing we take time to rest and recharge. Furthermore, it is essential to our existence, as part b of the second verse points out!

Furthermore, we who believe in God, must trust in Him to be our rear guard:

"For you shall not go out with haste, Nor go by flight; For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard." (Isaiah 52:12)

This verse is a parallel to that one in Matthew about not worrying, for knowing God as our rear guard certainly relieves our minds, which ushers in His Peace--

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:34)

Conclusion: Excessive busyness can create an illusion of productivity, which is of God, by making it seem productive due to its fast-paced, chaotic nature. It can even produce a sense of autonomy fueled by adrenaline that can be compared to that of a drug-induced high.

Don't let the exhilaration of excessive busyness rob you of Holy Spirit joy and true satisfaction in Christ........ Stay busy doing good!

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9)

NKJV