Troubled About Many Things—Choosing What Matters Most

In Luke 10:38–42, we meet two sisters—Martha and Mary—welcoming Jesus into their home. One is overwhelmed with hospitality duties; the other is seated at Jesus’ feet, absorbing His words. Martha, burdened by her tasks, asks Jesus to help her with Mary. But Jesus gently rebukes her: “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

This moment captures a timeless truth: it’s easy to become so consumed with responsibilities that we lose sight of what matters most—our relationship with Jesus.

Martha wasn’t doing anything wrong in serving others. In fact, her actions were commendable. But she allowed her good intentions to distract her from the best thing. Jesus reminded her—and reminds us—that the one thing truly needful is Him.

This struggle continues today. We are “troubled about many things”—relationships, careers, obligations, and leisure. These aren’t necessarily sinful, but when they take priority over Christ, we fall into the same trap as Martha.

Paul wrote in Philippians 1:9–10 that our love should abound in knowledge and judgment so we may “approve things that are excellent.” Through study and spiritual growth, we learn to choose not just what is good, but what is best. And the best choice is always Jesus.

Whether in our family life, at work, or in our leisure time, we must be careful not to let Christ be edged out. God deserves our best—not our leftovers. We must be willing to follow Him even when it costs us time, comfort, or approval.

Let us learn from Mary and choose the “good part.” Let’s make Jesus the center of our lives—our relationships, our work, and our rest. And like Moses said in Exodus 33:15, may we always declare, “If Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.”