Churches

Good day dear hearts, I love you. I hope all enjoyed your corned beef and cabbage yesterday. As Christians enter the season of Lent, many turn to familiar practices like fasting, prayer, self-examination and acts of service. These forty days invite us to slow down, look inward and consider the state of our relationship with God. One of the most striking biblical stories that speaks to this invitation is found in Luke 10:38-42, the account of Martha and Mary. Though brief, the story captures a tension many of us feel, the pull between doing for God and being with God.

Martha and Mary welcomed Jesus into their home. Martha, the older sister, immediately busied herself with preparations. She wanted everything to be perfect for her honored guest. Mary, on the other hand, sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to His teaching. The contrast is sharp, one sister is distracted by many tasks, the other is focused on one thing, being near the Lord. When Martha finally speaks, her frustration spills out. “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?” she asks. Jesus responds with a gentle but piercing truth: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better.” This story is not a criticism of service. Scripture consistently affirms the importance of hospitality, generosity and practical care for others. Martha’s desire to serve was not wrong. But Jesus’ words reveal something deeper, even good things can become distractions when they pull us away from the presence of God. Lent brings this truth into sharp focus.

Lent is a season that calls us to return to the “one thing needed.” It is a time to examine the noise, the busyness and the anxieties that crowd our hearts. Like Martha, we often find ourselves pulled in a dozen directions with work, responsibilities, expectations and the constant hum of modern life. Even in church life, we can become so busy doing things for God that we forget to sit with God. Mary reminds us that discipleship begins not with activity, but with attention. She chose to sit at Jesus’ feet, a posture of humility, hunger and devotion. In a world that measures worth by productivity, Mary’s choice can feel impractical or even irresponsible. Yet Jesus calls it “better.” Lent invites us to reclaim that better part. This season also reminds us that our worth is not found in what we accomplish, but in the God who loves us. The ashes of Ash Wednesday whisper the truth we are dust and our lives are fragile. But they also remind us that we are beloved dust shaped, held and redeemed by a God who desires relationship more than performance. Lent is not about proving ourselves to God; it is about making space for God to shape us.

The story of Martha and Mary also speaks to the balance we need. The Christian life is not all sitting or all serving, it is both. After all, someone had to prepare the meal that day.

For many today, this balance feels especially urgent. We live in a culture of hurry, where silence is rare and rest is often seen as weakness. Our minds are crowded with worries, financial pressures, family concerns, health challenges and the constant stream of news and information. Lent offers a counter-cultural rhythm. It invites us to slow down, to breathe, to listen and to rediscover the presence of God in the quiet places. In practical terms, choosing “the better part” may look different for each of us. It might mean setting aside a few minutes each day for Scripture and prayer. It might mean turning off the noise, literal or emotional that keeps us distracted. It might mean letting go of the need to control everything, trusting that God is at work even when we are not. It might mean serving others not out of obligation, but out of love shaped by time spent with Christ.

The story of Martha and Mary is not a competition between two sisters. It is an invitation to all of us. Jesus is still entering homes, still speaking, still calling us to sit at His feet. Lent gives us the space to respond. It reminds us that the heart of faith is not found in frantic activity, but in a relationship with the One who knows us, loves us and calls us by name. As we journey through these forty days, may we learn to quiet our hearts, to listen more deeply and to serve more freely. May we, like Mary, choose the better part. And may we, like Martha, discover that our service becomes lighter and more joyful when it flows from time spent in the presence of Christ. God Bless.

Heavenly Father we thank you for who you are and what you have done in our lives. We pray you bless our little community and ask your mercy and protection. Heal the one who is sick, give peace to the broken-hearted and mercy on us all. Amen.

Join with us, North Jackson Community Church, St. John’s RC Church, Lakeview Mennonite Church and Thompson Community Church this afternoon, March 18th at the Lakeview Community Church for our Lenten Service and soup and sandwich lunch at 12:00pm. Next week March 25th our last Lenten service will be at Thompson Christian Church in Thompson 12:00pm. Pastor Vince, 570-853-3988.