Our beloved church creates many opportunities for believers to serve. Whether that be Sunday School Teaching, youth leadership, choir service, or any other position that is needed around the church. The Lord calls us to serve, and we should certainly strive to do so. However, we must make an important distinction between our service, and our direct relationship with God. Both are important, but one is more important than the other.

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” Luke 10:38-40.

Here we clearly see the worship of Mary at the Lord’s feet, versus the distracted serving of Martha. Again, neither is wrong, but which is more important?

And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42.

Jesus’ answer is very clear. He will not command Mary to help her sister, because Mary has chosen “the good part.” The part where she only has eyes for the Lord, and only has ears for what he has to say. Mary is building a personal and direct relationship with God, a deep connection that surpasses the importance of service.

If we serve the Church, we should certainly continue to do so, but we should be careful not to let service get in the way of our relationship with God. We cannot forget liturgy, fasting, repentance, bible study etc., because we are “too busy” serving. We should know our priorities, and strive to be like Mary, rather than Martha.