As I gear up for the day ahead, I see all the household chores that require my attention, and all those chores pile up on top of packing up and all that entails for a move to our new home in another state.

Too often I allow the ordinary to crowd out God’s extraordinary command, “But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33 Matthew 6:33But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
American King James Version×).  I get caught up in the “…(running) to and fro,” (New King James Version, NKJV), or as the New Living Translation (NLT) puts it, “…(rushing) here and there” (Daniel 12:4 Daniel 12:4But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
American King James Version×) and lose sight of what’s really important for me as God’s Christian servant.

After Martha complains to Jesus about Mary and asks Him to tell Mary to help her with serving, Jesus says tenderly “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that one good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42 Luke 10:41-42 [41] And Jesus answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things: [42] But one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
American King James Version×, NKJV).

It seems that Martha was overwhelmed.  There was more to her being upset about not having enough help with serving.  She was weighed down “…and troubled by many things” that led to her losing sight, losing her focus on the most important thing.  It appears Martha felt the need to blame her troubles on someone else, or something else other than herself.

Obviously, someone needs to serve the others.  Jesus is certainly not condemning serving.  He is addressing the heart of Martha’s problem, which is her distractions that take her mind away from the most important thing in life, and my life, and yours!

So before you or I rush or run out the door, or dive into the list of “to do” items for the day, remember what your first priority is as you go through your day and engage in your physical activities: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”.