Rev. Stephen Hammond
Senior Pastor of Bethel Community Church
“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,’” Luke 10:38-42.
Life is busy. Our schedules are hectic. Our calendars are full. Our days seem to run together like an endless movie. Our job often requires more of our time. Our kids always need more of our time, and there are multiple opportunities to volunteer for the greater good. I have an important question for everyone, “Do you have time for Him?”
Mary and Martha were sisters, but they were very different in their personalities. Martha was busy working to welcome Jesus and His disciples into her home and serve her guests. Surely this was an important task.
She was waiting on the Son of God and His followers. She was doing a wonderful job working hard as any hostess would. But Mary was found sitting still at the feet of Jesus, listening to His every word.
Martha finally had enough and spoke up to Jesus so that He could scold Mary for not helping her. What Jesus said was quite the opposite of what she expected.
Jesus starts off by saying Martha’s name twice, which is never a good sign. I can almost see Jesus shaking His head as He says Martha’s name. Then He goes straight to the heart of the matter, it wasn’t her busyness that was the problem, it was the fact that she was worried and upset about many things.
Life can leave us worried and upset about many things, but there is one thing that can take our worry away and bring peace instead of leaving us upset. His name is Jesus. Do you have time for Him? Sunday, Sept. 15, is National Back To Church Sunday. We will be celebrating this day and want to invite you to join us at 10:30 a.m. at 415 I St. We will have an anointed service with great worship and an inspiring word, then we will meet outside for a tailgate party to enjoy each other’s company. Please come and make time for Jesus this Sunday.
