This morning in our prayer group we looked closely at Luke 10:38-42; the story of sisters Martha and Mary and the difference in how they responded to Jesus when He and the disciples were in their home. Martha was busy trying to prepare a meal for their guests and Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to Him teach.

When we take a deeper dive to slow down and look closely at what we’re reading sometimes a few words will jump out at us. What jumped out at me initially was verse 41 when Jesus told Martha she was “worried and upset about many things”.

That hit a nerve for me. I’m upset and worried about many things.

I am worried about the war in Ukraine and in that worry and upset I can feel my fears pulling me away from God.

When Jesus was with the disciples they kept expecting Him to destroy the Roman occupying force. They wanted a conqueror. I keep thinking about that in the context of world events. I want the United States and NATO to go in and conquer the Russian forces so they will stop the war! How am I different from the disciples? How am I different from Martha who in frustration told Jesus, “tell her to help me!” They didn’t understand that Jesus would conquer but not with military might. He overcame not with force but with the love of laying down His life for us. Martha didn’t understand the most important thing for her was Jesus.

Jesus went on to tell Martha, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.”

But only one thing is needed. My upset and worry pulling me away from God will not help anything and certainly not me. The world will always have conquerors and those conquered because this world is ruled by humans under the sway of the evil one. And the most important thing I can remember is that Jesus overcame the world not by riding in and conquering with might, with killing, with cruelty. He overcame with love.

Only one thing is needed. Trusting in the One who gave Himself for us that we can have life and not death. How will I do that? I will do that by remembering that we know the end of the story. Jesus will return. I don’t have to wait for His returning to be close to Him. He is with me now just as He promised. John 17:25: “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

What an amazing promise. The love God has for Jesus is in us and Jesus is in us loving us. That brings such peace and allows Him to be at the center of all things in me and you. I can look to Him and He is there. I pray that for you so that you can know your true identity…a child of God dearly loved. The events of the world will continue until Jesus returns. Keep your eyes on Him now and trust His promised return to renew all things. Only then will we have true peace.