Listening to His Word

“Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”
But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

As I begin to write this on my handy clipboard, my family and I are driving home after spending Thanksgiving with our extended family in Mississippi. After leaving the warm fellowship with very full tummies, we began our journey home, adjusting to the quietness of the car.
I pulled out my Bible and opened to Luke and read the verses above. These are some of my favorite verses because we find the examples of two women who were very close to Jesus in His ministry.
I slowly read the story and then stared out the window in thought.
“What was the “good part” that Christ was talking about when He praised Mary?” I wondered.
I looked back at the verses for a contrast in Mary and Martha.
These two words stuck out to me: listening and distracted.

I think these two words add greater clarity to this story, and greater and deeper application to our lives.
Mary was sitting at the feet of Christ, listening to His Word.
Martha was distracted from His Word with all her preparations.
One thing was necessary, and Mary had chose the right thing - to listen to His Word.

Thinking back over these past few days, have I become distracted from God’s Word with my many preparations - or did I make time to listen to Jesus by spending time in His Word?
And as another special holiday approaches, will I be pulled away by the long list of preparations and shopping - or will I be diligent to listen to God and remain focused by spending time in His Word?

These are hard questions to answer, but our Master gives us such encouragement to not become distracted: “Only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

How I long to be the one who listens to His Word, not becoming distracted, but staying focused and fixed on Christ!

“…Let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…” Heb. 12:1-2

I encourage you to listen to His Word daily, diligently, and faithfully - and let us not become entangled or distracted. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, looking up into His beautiful face as we sit at His feet with a listening heart.

Only then will we posses the “good part” which will never be taken away from us.