From Martha to Mary: Reclaiming Stillness in a Productive Life

Hi and welcome back! Let me set the scene.

Jesus is hanging out at the home of two sisters: Mary and Martha. Mary is seated at His feet, soaking in every word He says like it’s the season finale of Bridgerton. Meanwhile, Martha is in the kitchen, clanging pots and probably muttering under her breath because she’s sweating over dinner and her sister isn’t lifting a finger. Eventually, Martha has had it. She bursts into the room like any older sister would and says (and I’m paraphrasing here): “Jesus, do You not see that my sister is leaving me to do all the things by myself? Tell her to help!”

And Jesus, with the gentle love that only He can pull off without sounding condescending, replies:“Martha, Martha… you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Ouch.

I’ve read that story about a dozen times and every single time, I feel personally attacked.

Because if anyone is Team Martha, it’s me.

Distraction vs. Devotion: A Matter of Focus

Let’s be honest: Martha wasn’t wrong. The food did need to be cooked. The table did need to be set. I mean, she was hosting the Son of God. You don’t serve Jesus a lukewarm casserole on paper plates.

But the issue wasn’t her effort. It was her attention.

Martha was distracted. Not by evil or laziness or even anything "bad", but by what seemed urgent instead of what was truly important.

Distraction isn’t just scrolling Instagram or checking emails while someone’s talking to you. It’s when we allow the whirlwind of “shoulds” and “oughts” to pull us away from the feet of Jesus. It’s when our to-do lists get louder than His voice. It's when we give all our devotion to productivity and call it holiness.

Meanwhile, Mary chose devotion over distraction. She pressed pause on the chaos. She chose presence over performance.

And don’t we all need a little more Mary?

What “Being” Looks Like Today (Hint: It’s Not a Spa Day)

Now I’m not saying we all need to sit cross-legged on a rug and stare at our Bibles for three hours a day (though no judgment if that’s your jam). But I am saying that our souls are desperate for permission to be.

To be still.

To be unproductive.

To be fully present without apologizing for it.

Being looks like taking a breath before you answer that text.It looks like saying “no” to one more commitment, even if you technically have the time.It looks like reading scripture without trying to mine it for a tweet-worthy revelation.It looks like going on a walk with no headphones. Just you, the breeze, and maybe God whispering something gentle.

Being is the opposite of hustling for your worth. It’s believing you already have it, just because you’re His.

Choosing Stillness in a Jam-Packed Schedule

Here’s where I confess: Stillness does not come naturally to me.

I’m the queen of “let me just knock out this one last thing real quick”...which turns into two hours and three new projects. I love a checklist. I find joy in crossing things off, color-coding them, and maybe adding a few things I already did just so I can cross them off too. (Don’t judge me.)

But I’ve started learning that stillness isn’t a lack of movement. It’s a posture of the heart.

You can be folding laundry and still be in communion with God.You can be on a Zoom call and still be grounded in peace.You can carve out five minutes of quiet before bed and let that be your sacred pause.

Stillness isn’t about the absence of work. It’s about the presence of God in the middle of it.

Here’s a practical baby step: Schedule a moment of stillness. Literally block it out. Name it something like “Sit Down and Don’t Touch Anything.” (Yes, I’ve done this.) Protect it like it’s an important meeting. Because it is.

Letting Go of the Performance Game

Maybe the real reason we relate to Martha is because deep down, we’re all kind of scared.

Scared that if we stop performing, we’ll stop mattering.

Scared that if we stop doing, people will forget about us.

Scared that God, too, is quietly tallying our productivity and will be disappointed if we don't "achieve" enough.

But… Jesus didn’t rebuke Martha because her food wasn’t good enough.He wasn’t mad that she didn’t have everything perfect.He simply invited her to rest in the fact that she was already welcome, already loved, already enough.

And that same invitation is extended to you.

Your worth is not in your output.Your value is not in your schedule.Your identity is not in your efficiency.

You are not a project. You’re a person. A beloved one.

Jesus Wants You, Not Your Calendar

I still struggle with this. My instinct is to do more. To optimize. To accomplish. To impress God with my spiritual checklist.

But every time I choose stillness, even just for a few moments, I remember that Jesus isn’t impressed by how busy I am. He’s moved by how present I am.

He’s not showing up to inspect your calendar. He’s showing up to see you.

And when you choose to be with Him - without striving, without polishing, without explaining - it’s not just the “better” portion. It’s the only one that really satisfies.

So, here’s your gentle reminder (from one Martha-in-recovery to another): You don’t have to earn your seat at His feet.

Just take it.

How have you found those moments of stillness? What has worked for you to block out the world and even your own thoughts?