The One Thing That Always Pleases God
You may think you are pleasing God, only to miss it by a mile.
The real question we must ask ourselves is this: Does what I am doing matter to God?
You only have one lifetime to get it right. Why not focus on what God is focused on?
The biblical story of Mary and Martha is the ultimate masterclass in priorities. While Martha was consumed with the "doing"—the practical serving—Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet.
While I deeply value and honor those who serve in practical ways, even the best service must remain connected to Jesus and the life-transformation that only comes through His Word.
To ensure your efforts aren't "missing the mark," analyze your actions through these four filters:
Is what I am doing about Jesus or about me?
Martha seemed sincere, but her focus had shifted. Her main concern had become appearance and recognition. She was preoccupied with how things looked, how others appreciated her, and how she was being perceived.
Mary, on the other hand, had a Jesus-focus. Her primary concern was receiving Christ’s teaching and responding to it. Her internal dialogue was: “How can I receive what Jesus is saying and apply it to my life? How can I change? How can I help others with what I have learned?”
2. Do I turn every spiritual event into a natural event?
Christ’s arrival in Mary and Martha’s home was an incredible, supernatural moment. The Son of God was there to minister to their household, yet Martha’s attention was fixed entirely on the meal.
Much of today’s church activity centers around the "natural"—often specifically eating. I once attended a pastoral event that featured four full meals and several snack breaks in a single day! There was very little discussion of the Word and very little prayer for life change. Each session ended abruptly with a call to the food tables.
When natural things dominate spiritual gatherings, we lose the point. Make the focus of every spiritual activity the changing of lives. Remember: Jesus only turned His attention to feeding the five thousand after they had spent three days seeking Him for healing and teaching.
3. Do I get frustrated with those who prioritize the Word?
It is a common trap: those whose total focus is on natural tasks often become frustrated with those who are serving the Word of God. Martha went as far as to interrupt Christ’s teaching to demand He tell Mary to leave His feet and help with the silverware.
We must strike a balance of mutual respect. I believe in those who work hard at serving, preparing, and maintaining; I honor them deeply. However, we must also honor those who "work hard at preaching and teaching." As Paul noted, those who labor in the Word are worthy of "double honor." Let every part of the Body of Christ honor the other.
4. Is what I do the “better part”?
When Jesus spoke to Martha, He didn't criticize her work, but her worry. He rebuked her for being “anxious and troubled about many things.”
The enemy loves to "load your wagon" with tiny details—like the perfect flower arrangements or the logistics of a building—while the physically ill and broken families around you are desperate for a miracle.
Choose the better part. Before you start your next task, ask yourself: “How can I turn this natural activity into something that involves the Word of God and changes lives?” Do that, and you can be certain that God is pleased.