A case of the “got to’s”
Posted on March 26, 2007
Filed Under Christian Growth, Devotionals
Have you ever come down with a case of the “got to’s?†It is a horrible illness. It is characterized by symptoms like forgetting there are other people around you (self-centeredness), profuse sweating and fatigue (from running here and there), and constant statements of “I’ve got to do this!†and “I’ve got to do that!†This disease is widespread, and very contagious. If allowed to run rampant for a long time, it can certainly harm the body, but more importantly, even over a very short time it damages the spirit!
In Luke 10:38-42, we read about the day Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. Immediately she was gripped by the “got to’s,†because she was distracted by much serving. You can just imagine Martha bustling around the house, making sure there was plenty of food and drink, and that everyone was well taken care of. Martha had a sister, though, named Mary. Despite all Martha had going on, Mary was not helping a bit. Instead, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening attentively to His teaching.
Doesn’t it frustrate you when you’ve got a lot to do, and it seems no one will help? Martha must have felt this way. She begged Jesus to make Mary stop listening, and start serving! “Here I’ve got all this to do,†Martha must have thought, “and Mary’s just sitting around listening to Jesus talk!â€
Jesus was quick to correct Martha’s thinking, though. “Martha, Martha,†He said. “You are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.â€
Mary recognized a golden opportunity to sit at the Master’s feet! Martha, however, was so distracted by the cares of the world, that her cares swallowed up and choked out the most important thing in life: attention to God’s word! One thing is necessary, Jesus says. All the other things that we allow to distract us from God’s word are not.
How foolish we are when we attend to the things of the world at the expense of hearing God’s will. We are much like Martha when we skip worship services to work on our homes and yards. We are much like Martha when we attend recreational activities at the expense of assembling with the saints to exalt God. We are much like Martha when we put anything before God.
The next time you feel yourself coming down with a case of the “got to’s,†remember that Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33). Remember that “bodily training†is of some value, but that godliness is of value in every way, and holds promise for our present lives, but also for the life to come (1 Tim. 4:8). Have you made preparations for eternity (John 3:16; Acts 17:30; Rom. 10:9,10; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)?
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