12 Days of Christmas: The One Thing

12 Days of Christmas: The One Thing

Luke 10:38-42

The One Thing That Matters Most: Finding Peace in a Busy Season

As December rushes by at breakneck speed, many of us find ourselves caught in the whirlwind of endless to-do lists, holiday preparations, and mounting expectations. We're running in sixth gear, trying to keep up with everything that demands our attention. But what if, in all our busyness, we're missing the most important thing?

When Good Things Become Distractions

In Luke 10:38-42, we encounter two sisters with very different approaches to hosting Jesus. Martha busied herself with preparations - cleaning, cooking, and ensuring everything was perfect for their honored guest. Meanwhile, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His teaching.

Martha's frustration is relatable. She was doing good things - serving, honoring Jesus, and fulfilling cultural expectations of hospitality. Yet Jesus gently corrected her: "Dear Martha, you're worried and upset about all these details. There's only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."

What's Really Worrying You?

The word Jesus uses for "worried" literally means "to be pulled apart" or "divided within." Martha knew what she needed to do, but the weight of responsibility and pressure kept her from doing it. Sound familiar?

We live in a culture that constantly demands more - more productivity, more achievements, more stuff. Our houses are bigger than our grandparents', yet we still need storage units. We have more conveniences than any generation before us, yet anxiety levels continue to rise.

The Warning Signs of Misplaced Priorities

Unrelenting worry often serves as a warning sign for misplaced priorities. We only worry about things that are important to us. When we find ourselves anxious about outcomes we cannot control, it may be time to examine where we're placing our focus.

Anxiety happens when we take something God said He'll handle and decide we need to manage it ourselves. We try to control outcomes, manage people's opinions, and predict the future - all things beyond our actual control.

The Tyranny of the Urgent

Martha wasn't lazy - she was working hard, sweating in the kitchen, managing multiple tasks. But she fell victim to what some call "the tyranny of the urgent." Important things got displaced by urgent demands.

This happens when we let immediate pressures crowd out what truly matters. We know we need more time with God, more quality time with family, more rest for our souls. But urgent demands keep pushing these important things to "later."

Don't Let Good Things Crowd Out the Best Things

Jesus never corrected Martha's activity - He addressed her inner condition. What she was doing wasn't sinful; she was trying to honor God and be a good host. But her good intentions became a distraction from the best thing available to her: time with Jesus.

The One Thing Worth Being Concerned About

In a world of endless options and demands, Jesus offers a radical simplification: there's only one thing truly necessary. Mary discovered it by choosing to sit at Jesus' feet and listen.

This isn't about being lazy or irresponsible. It's about recognizing that our souls need something more than productivity and achievement. We need connection with our Creator.

Jesus' Gentle Invitation

Notice how Jesus responds to Martha's stress. He doesn't condemn or scold her. He calls her "dear Martha" and gently invites her to consider a better way. This same invitation is available to us today.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all who are tired and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take on my yoke and let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).

Don't Miss the Most Important Moment

In 1903, when the Wright brothers achieved the first human flight, they sent a telegram to their sister: "We actually flew 120 feet, will be home for Christmas." Excited by the news, she took it to a newspaper editor, who read it and simply said, "Oh nice, the boys will be home for Christmas."

He completely missed one of the most significant moments in human history because he was distracted by other things.

Jesus is speaking to us today, asking us not to miss the most important moment in our lives - time with Him. He's not asking for our performance, perfection, or productivity. He's asking for us.

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to identify what's pulling you away from what matters most. Ask yourself these questions:

• What fills your mental space that God should be filling?
• What gets your best energy when you're at peak productivity?
• What is the one thing that consistently pushes your time with God to "later"?
• What good things might be crowding out the best things in your life?

Choose one urgent but not truly important task this week and either delegate it, postpone it, or eliminate it entirely. Use that time instead to sit at Jesus' feet - whether through prayer, reading Scripture, or simply being still in His presence.

Remember, you can only control what happens within you. Instead of trying to manage outcomes beyond your control, focus on managing your response and your priorities. Let God handle the rest.