What does your current to-do list look like? Prepare lesson or block plans for the year. Organize classroom materials. Respond to parent emails. Plan for building classroom community and school culture. Meet with coworkers. Prepare student assessments. Schedule a doctor’s appointment. Play with your kids. Visit your relatives. Whatever the specifics, there are probably many things calling for your time and attention.

The Bible tells us about a time Jesus visited the house of two sisters, Martha and Mary. In trying to ensure everything was ready for Jesus, Martha, too, had much on her to-do list and much on her mind. Meanwhile, her sister, Mary, was sitting and listening at Jesus’ feet. At one point, this led Martha to approach Jesus, asking him to get Mary to help her. We hear Jesus’ response in our reading for today, “Martha … you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better.”

Martha’s desire to serve, to show hospitality, to work hard was not wrong. However, Jesus was helping her – and us – see that no amount of service can replace our need for time with God and his Word. Jesus didn’t say Martha was doing the wrong thing and Mary was doing the right thing; he said Mary was doing the better thing. The best and most important thing is our relationship with Jesus; everything else – our ability to serve, our willingness to love, our stamina to tackle the busyness – flows from that.
There will always be things – many of them good – fighting for your attention, but as you work through them, hear Jesus speaking to you. “(Fill in your name) … you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one – me.” Jesus gave his life for you so that you could have a relationship with him. He loves you and he is the one thing you need above all else.

In a world that glorifies “busy,” let’s encourage each other to rest in Jesus, to build a relationship with him. Yes, we will have days full of many tasks to faithfully care for and teach the students entrusted to us. Yes, we are called to serve our families and our communities. But also yes, we need Jesus every day and every hour. Our coworkers need Jesus. Our students need Jesus. Our world needs Jesus. Make time to sit like Mary and soak in the words of God and then, let that Word equip you for the other things on your list.