Listen

While Jesus and his disciples were traveling, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his message.

Luke 10:38-39

Think

I’ve been a full-time youth minister for more than 7 years now. It’s the best job in the world, but there are a lot of moving pieces. One of the biggest challenges for me is remembering to stay awake to the present moment, especially when I have other logistics to think about. When we’re on a trip, I have to think about: Who’s prepping dinner? Where are the middle school boys? How long will it take us to get to the next place? If I’m not careful, I miss the moment I’m actually living in.

Mary knows what needs to be done around the house. She and Martha have welcomed countless visitors before. There’s food prep and cleaning to be done. But this is different. This is Jesus! This moment to sit, listen, and learn from Jesus while he’s in her own home may not happen again. She sees what matters, sets everything else aside, and assumes the position often reserved for disciples. She knows: in this moment, this is the best place to be.

Chris Cherry

Pray

God, I know I have important roles to play in life, but like Mary, sometimes I need to see what’s more important in life. Help me to see what really matters in every situation. Amen.

Go

To be awake is to be alive.

Henry David Thoreau in Walden (1854)