“Only one thing is needed.”
I hear those words and I breathe a sigh of relief.
It’s exactly what I need to hear when things aren’t going right. When I feel overwhelmed and burdened.
Sadly it’s a road that’s very familiar to me.
This is a road I travel often. I know each and every nook and cranny. And they know me well.
I do too much and all of a sudden I am scurrying for more minutes.
Why does time fly by so quickly?
Why can’t I just get it on straight?
Didn’t I just spend my weekend preparing for Monday? Why do I feel so overwhelmed already?
What is the solution for feeling stressed?
Tweet ThisThe answer is right there. Waiting for me like a gentle breeze waiting to kiss my face.
And honestly it brings tears to my eyes.
“You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” (Luke 10:41-42)
Only. One. Thing. Is. Needed.
I need to hear those five words over and over again. (Click here for a free scripture graphic if you could use a reminder too).
Oh, how I need for those words to wash over me. I desperately need that truth to sink in.
When will I get past the doing and enjoy the being?
I will never know the joy of being if I try to do life all on my own.
My good friend Martha understands my pain. I met her first in the story in Luke 10.
Martha and I are like twins. We relate to each other so well and think so much alike. In her words:
“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?” (Luke 10:40)
I think that’s a legitimate concern.
“Tell her to help me.” (Luke 10:40)
That makes sense to me too. I would probably have added, ‘It’s just not fair. I need help and she’s not doing her share; if you talk to her I’m pretty sure she’ll listen to you’.
What about you? What complaint are you bringing to the Lord today? What injustice are you experiencing?
Lord don’t you care that…
…my husband doesn’t help me with the housework?
…my pastor didn’t take the time to call when I was going through a rough time?
…my co-worker gets all the praise when I’m the one doing all the work?
…I don’t seem to be losing weight no matter how hard I try?
…life is passing me by and I have no one to share it with?
…this illness is stealing my joy?
…?
Don’t you care Lord?
These are all legitimate concerns. And I can’t pretend to know what you’re going through today. Yet it is my firm belief that the Lord’s response is the same for you, as it was for Martha and as it is for me.
“Only one thing is needed.”
And what is that one thing?
To sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from him.
Instead of busying myself with many cares and concerns, the Lord simply wants me to enjoy being in His presence. To put my concerns aside and worship Him. To be satisfied with Him. To recognize that He alone is ENOUGH.
One thing is enough
You see, when I try to do it all on my own, I fall.
When I focus on why life is unfair, I falter.
When life becomes all about me, I sink even lower.
But when I focus on Jesus, He picks me up. He brushes me off. He makes me whole again. And He gives me just enough of what I need for that moment. No more. No less.
I don’t have to worry about what is needed for tomorrow. Sure I need to be responsible with my time and the way I spend my minutes. But God is taking care of all the details. I say this and I know I have to own it, because friends, I stumble. Often. I forget this truth that says only one thing is needed. But I’m grateful that He faithfully and graciously reminds me again and again.
What about you?
Will you join me and embrace the one thing that you need? Will you spend some time sitting at Jesus’ feet today?
Because only that one thing is needed.
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Wishing you blessings,
Marva this is lovely. I am sick and feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. I needed to hear this today.
Jen, I hope you feel better soon. May you God give you the strength you need for today (Isaiah 41:10). I’m so glad reading this give you some hope.
Thank you! This is what I needed to hear today! Bless you!
So glad to hear that, Terry! I need to hear it pretty often myself. 🙂 Be blessed!
Marva, I see myself here. Busy, busy, busy. When you stop and think about what is really needed in the midst of the stress, yes. Tears. Beautiful list.
Oh, Dianne, you and me both, my friend. Thank God for grace!!! Love you!
Marva, this is a beautiful post, so encouraging and true! We can all relate to the questions and complaints. (“Don’t you care?”) And the answer Jesus gives is still the same: one thing is needed. Thanks for these words, friend.
You’re so welcome, Betsy. These are the words I need to hear again and again. Glad you can relate. 🙂
This one makes the cut as one of my Tuesday Talk features tomorrow, Marva! All bloggers (and moms) need to hear your message!
Woohoo! 🙂 Thank you, Ruthie. I’m humbled by your kind words. If just one person is blessed by think message, I’d be very happy.
Love! Love! Love this Marva!!! So good! It is truly what I needed to hear today. I only need Jesus. I have a list a mile long and it keeps getting longer. I think I just need to be with my Maker. Thank you friend for this! I love it!
I know that feeling only too well, Johanna. The day that I wrote this was one of those days where everything was weighing heavy on me. Thankfully we serve an amazing burden-lifter. Be blessed, my friend!
I needed this… Literally, I get done planning my week and I’m all crazy… Thanks for joining in this week !
I know the feeling, Amanda. That’s why pausing long enough to rest at Jesus’ feet is so important for me. Thanks for stopping by and being such a great hostess.
“You see, when I try to do it all on my own, I fall.
When I focus on why life is unfair, I falter.
When life becomes all about me, I sink even lower.”-These are convicting statements! They would make a great graphic as well! Really enjoyed your post today!
Great idea, Ginger! Thanks for that tip. In real life, this is just me. Learning lessons along the way.
Marva, daily this passage runs through my mind. I’ve never been so tempted to be busy as in this blogging phase of life!!! I know you know what I’m talking about. I enjoy every aspect – but I will NEVER get it all done. I will never be done!
The temptation is there to skip prayer time, or skimp on Bible reading – in order to get more done.
Skipping those things in order to “minister” to others – SHEESH!!!
I totes get this. Praying for you (and for me – and for our shiny group) as we seek to minister, yet seek the one thing first!
So true, Ruthie. The temptation is always there to jump to the next thing. There will always be another thing to do but our time with the Master should be treasured and safeguarded. I’m so glad we have each other to walk beside. It makes life so much easier.
Wow, thank you so much for this reminder! I was thinking of Mary and Martha at the beginning of this week and I definitely tend to be a Martha… I need to take more time at the feet of Jesus!
Rebekah
Well, I’m in good company then, Rebekah! 🙂 I pray that God reminds us to rest in Him on a daily basis! Wishing you blessings!
Marva, we must be twins as well! =) I totally get the Martha vs Mary thing. I know I need to be a Mary and rest at the feet of Jesus, but the drive in me to get things done brings me right back to Martha. I love your honesty. I also love how you find the balance between the two: “I don’t have to worry about what is needed for tomorrow. Sure I need to be responsible with my time and the way I spend my minutes. But God is taking care of all the details.” Thank you for this reminder and thank you for stopping by my website today!
Oh Alisa, how sweet of you to stop by! Yes, I am learning every day what it means to walk closer to Christ. Some days Mary, some days Martha. But every day there’s grace! So glad you could relate. Just know there’s hope for us still. 🙂
And He is the most beautiful gift possible! Just one Jesus! So grateful you are my neighbor at His Purpose in Me.
Hi Linda, I’m loving His Purpose in Me — it’s so good to be a part of something new. Thanks for stopping by and leaving some love.
Praying that you enjoy God’s precious gift of His presence throughout the year! Blessings.
I entirely relate to your words, Marva. Have you read “Having a Mary heart in a Martha world” by Joanna Weaver. It’s so good and speaks to so much of what you’ve encouraged us in today. That one thing is so precious and so accessible, but yet we often take it for granted don’t we? It’s my heart too, to savor His presence and take the time to be still before Him. So glad to meet your here and to be your neighbor at #testimonytuesday.
Hi Tiffany, I’ve heard about Joanna Weaver’s book but never read it. Given my love/hate relationship with Martha, I just might need to add that one to my list. 🙂 And you’re right, I do tend to take God’s truth for granted but thankfully God is very patient with me.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Beautiful, Marva! Thanks for sharing from your heart.
Thank you, Carlie. This one was straight from the heart. Prayerfully it blesses others as much as it blessed me to write it.
You bet and when I forget that One Thing, I find out soon enough! Thanks , Miss Sparkle !blessings from (finally) rainy Calif. PTL
Hi Sue, it’s so good to connect with you again. Yep, God has some gentle (and not so gentle) ways of reminding me of this truth. Blessings from my sunny island! 🙂
Hi Marva! You’re my neighbor today at #RaRa link up! I loved this timely reminder of the only thing that is needed. Jesus. Thank you for sharing this precious truth.
Awesome! I love it when we meet up like that. I need this truth more than you know. Thanks for the love my friend.