Luke 10:42 is etched in my brain right now, it comes into my mind so often, daily now, with various events in my life, when others are speaking to me about decisions, trials, etc…my mind keeps going back to those words – but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be take away from her. The beautiful picture painted of Mary seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His Word in  Luke 10:39. Often times when speaking of this verse it is followed with a discussion about how DO we chose that one thing but live in this world where things HAVE to get done, decisions HAVE to be made, things HAVE to get organized, families HAVE to be taken care of, household chores HAVE to be done, ministries HAVE to move forward, we HAVE to serve others. God doesn’t need US to accomplish and do anything.  Our service to our family and our ministry to others is something He LETS us be a part of. On the other hand, we do need Him to accomplish anything and everything in our lives. The Wilmington’s study guide states, “It is more important to hear Him first, before laboring for Him.” It goes back again to our time with the Lord, and how crucial that investment is; it IS the one thing that is necessary.

David speaks in Psalm of this one thing also; One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. Psalm 27:4. The glory of the Lord was in the tabernacle, then the temple. Mary got to literally be in the presence of the Lord, and we as believers can also behold that glory as the Spirit indwells us. To behold the beauty of the Lord and meditate in His temple, what a gift!

This also ties in the word “dwell”, a word God has brought to my attention in the past. Dwell, abide, remain, a place that is our fortress and refuge. We don’t just have a place to go to when we need shelter, we are already there, abiding in Him, and He in us. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 We must remain there, not just visit it once in awhile, abide in Him is to “detach ourselves from all else, to reach out after Him and cling to Him, to sink ourselves into Him.” (Murray). The “I in you” cannot come if the “abide in Me” is not maintained. We can do nothing without it.

The fact that Christ asks us to come to Him; let it sink in – is that not just mind blowing?! Sharing the gospel with ourselves daily, is needed, to wrap our brains around what our salvation means. Andrew Murray’s commentary on this John 15 passage again displays it well, “It is a divine reality that words cannot express, we are in Him and He in us. And the words, “abide in me and I in you,” just tell us to believe it, this divine mystery, and to count upon our God and Christ the Vine to make it divinely true. No thinking or teaching or praying can grasp it; it is a divine mystery of love.”

In studying Luke 10:42 today I came across a verse that seemed like just a part of a conversation but today it hit me so sweetly, Martha talking to Mary before Lazarus was resurrected said, The Teacher is here and is calling for you. John 11:28. Let that sentence forever be written on my heart. God has been so generous in His teaching to me lately. Teaching that comes from conviction of sin, teaching that comes from scripture being illuminated into understanding and teaching that goes straight to my heart and exalts my God. My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. Luke 1:46. His glory is always the result of any teaching I receive. My Teacher IS here and He IS calling for ME, to come to Him daily, in prayer and the reading and meditation of His Word. Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior is available to us every minute of every day. God’s great and true and perfect Word is right in front of us, in our Bibles, on our phones and iPads and by God’s grace is filling our minds as we memorize scripture. Why would I not abide in this great gift daily? A sinner I am, at times a lazy, selfish, full of pride sinner. Let not a day go by that I don’t start, with my very first ounce of energy going to meet God. When Mary heard her Teacher was calling for her she got up quickly and was coming to Him,  John 11:29. Let that be our response when we wake up and open our eyes and know that our Lord is calling for us. I am SO thankful for this continued provision, that He has made a way for me.

So how can Mary do it, and yet still get her chores and volunteering and ministry and fellowship done? But seek FIRST His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33.