For the season when singleness feels like a summons to stay useful.
As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.” Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
“One thing is needed.” Does your singleness feel like a defect you must repair by staying useful? You can fill every hour and still never listen. The issue is not that service is evil. It is that anxiety has made your attention a scattered offering.
Martha was distracted with much serving, anxious and troubled about many things. That can describe you when being unmarried feels like a problem to solve through usefulness. If people need you, you can avoid the ache of feeling unwanted. But usefulness cannot make you received. It only keeps your hands moving.
Jesus does not shame Mary for listening. He names her choice as good and says it will not be taken away. The incarnate Christ welcomes your undivided attention; it is not wasted time. His presence is not a consolation prize until romance arrives. At his feet, your life is received now. Will you let his word have the part of you that anxiety keeps assigning to other things?
The incarnate Christ welcomes your undivided attention; it is not wasted time.
Lord Jesus, teach me to sit at your feet, confess my restless striving, and receive the welcome you give.
Bring one honest question to today’s Scripture.
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