mary, not martha

i want to be a mary, not a martha.

along with my heart's cry this summer for onething that is intimacy with God, my mom keeps reminding me this story. i want to be a mary, who sat at Jesus' feet and listened, spent time with Jesus. i don't want to be a martha, who spent the time busying herself with preparations.

its not that what martha did was wrong, she had good intentions, because she wanted to make Jesus' stay comfortable and more enjoyable. however, in the end, it was martha's loss, because all Jesus wants from us is to spend time with him and to know him and to listen to him, at his feet, like mary.

i know what Jesus would want. Jesus said "there is only one thing worht being concerned about. mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her"

i want to spend my life having intimacy first, loving God first, spending time with him, waiting upon him. then all other things, evangelism, loving others, serving, etc. will follow.

especially with leadership and ministry coming up, i know what Jesus would want, what i want. i want intimacy. to know the father's heart, to hear his voice, to feel his touch, to know his presence. that is what comes first. ministry can come second. if i get so caught up in ministry that i don't have time to read and wait upon God or pray, then i have a problem. what would be the point of ministry if i don't even have intimacy with God myself?

oh God, i want to be a mary.