Quietly Listening

Luke 10:38-42 “Now as they went on their way, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to Him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.’”

In this post, I don’t want to focus on Martha, but on Mary. She had a guest in her house, but didn’t busy herself with trying to be an entertainer, prep food, or run around tidying the house. Instead, she sat down at Jesus’ feet and let the other things of the world fade out of sight, out of mind.

Very importantly to me in this part of the story is that Mary sat at His feet and listened to His teaching. She quietly soaked up all of the words. I know all too well the urge to speak and make my opinion known. If Christ were to visit me in a room with other people, would I speak or would I listen? Would I quiet my mind and mouth to simply learn from Him? Or would I be tempted to speak in a way that amazes the whole room? Or speak words that impress others with my knowledge and education? Or speak to show how competent I am at understanding His teaching?

May I learn to have the grace of Mary as she quietly sat at His feet and humbly listened. She didn’t care what others thought of her, she didn’t care that others expected different things from her, she only wanted the life-giving words of Christ.

Proverbs 19:20 “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future.”