ONE THING THAT IS NECESSARY – Ps Ee Foo

Dear Family of NLC,

As we start this year, have you wondered what is your most important priority? Well Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 reminds us of the “only one thing that is necessary.”

The story of Mary and Martha is a familiar one and it begins with Jesus coming to their house. Martha being the responsible sister decided to do the serving but she became overwhelmed and started complaining to Jesus, asking Him to tell Mary to help out. Mary, on the other hand, was sitting at the feet of Jesus, paying full attention to His teaching. The key of our learning today lies with Jesus’ response: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

The story of Mary and Martha is a timely reminder for us, as we begin the new year, to ask ourselves what is the most important priority in our lives. Is time with Jesus something we try and squeeze into our busy schedule? Or do we value our relationship with Him as our number one priority? Mary got her priorities right; she knew that sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to His teaching was the most important thing to do amidst all the distractions of serving that Martha occupied herself with. Jesus was the good portion that she chose to be with, which was the one thing that was necessary.

As I reflected on this story about a week ago, it dawned on me that I am very much a Martha who often get caught up with doing and serving, forgetting that being with Jesus is a more important priority as compared to serving. There is nothing wrong with being in active service for God but it should never take the place of our devotion to Jesus. May all of us at NLC be like Mary, choosing the “one thing that is necessary” that is, to spend time with Jesus, our number one Person and priority.

Blessings
Ps. Ee Foo