The Good Portion

Divine Inspirations | by Dee Davis

Focus Scripture

Luke 10:38–42 (NLT)

“There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

— Luke 10:42

There is something beautiful about slowing down long enough to notice life.

Watching the wind gently move through the trees.

Listening to birds greet a new morning.

Feeling the warmth of the sun on your face.

Savoring a quiet cup of coffee before the demands of the day begin.

Laughing with someone you love without glancing at the clock.

These moments rarely accomplish anything on our to-do lists.

Yet somehow, they nourish something much deeper.

Perhaps they remind us that life is not merely something to manage—it is a gift to be received.

I wonder if this is part of what Jesus wanted Martha to understand.

Choosing the Better Way

The familiar account of Mary and Martha has often been reduced to one simple message: Don’t be like Martha.

But I don’t believe that was Jesus’ point.

Martha wasn’t criticized because she served.

Service has always been honorable.

Hospitality has always mattered.

Preparation has its place.

Jesus wasn’t correcting her work.

He was gently correcting her distraction.

Luke tells us that Martha was “distracted by the big dinner she was preparing.”

That word distracted is significant.

Her responsibilities had become so consuming that she almost missed the very reason for her preparations.

The Son of God was sitting in her home.

The meal could wait.

His presence could not.

Meanwhile, Mary chose something different.

She sat at Jesus’ feet.

She listened.

She simply enjoyed being with Him.

Not because she expected anything in return.

Not because she was trying to impress Him.

Not because she had mastered the spiritual life.

She simply wanted to be where Jesus was.

When Doing Replaces Being

If we’re honest, many of us know exactly how Martha felt.

Our calendars are full.

Our minds are full.

Even when our schedules begin to slow, our thoughts often do not.

Especially for many women in this chapter of life.

After years of raising children…

Building careers…

Serving in ministry…

Supporting spouses…

Caring for aging parents…

Helping family members…

Leading others…

We can become so accustomed to caring for everyone else that we forget how to simply sit in the presence of the One who cares for us.

Even good things can quietly crowd out the best thing.

Ministry can become busyness.

Serving can become striving.

Planning can become pressure.

Somewhere along the way, we begin measuring our days by what we accomplished instead of by how deeply we walked with God.

But our Heavenly Father has never measured our worth by our productivity.

He delights in us because we are His.

The Gift of Simply Being With Him

Just a few verses before this account, Jesus reminded a lawyer of life’s greatest commandment:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.” (Luke 10:27)

Then, almost immediately, we see what that love looks like.

Mary isn’t simply hearing a lesson.

She is enjoying the presence of Jesus.

What a beautiful reminder.

Sometimes the sweetest moments with God have no agenda.

No urgent prayer request.

No lengthy checklist.

No pressure to perform.

Only His presence.

Sometimes the holiest thing you’ll do all day is sit quietly with the One who loves you.

The Good Portion

Jesus told Martha,

“Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Notice something beautiful.

Mary chose.

The good portion is always a choice.

Every day we choose where our attention will rest.

We choose whether our minds will remain tangled in worry or anchored in God’s presence.

We choose whether our hearts will rush from one responsibility to the next or pause long enough to recognize that Jesus is already near.

The good portion is not found in getting more done.

It is found in becoming more aware of God’s presence.

From Worry to Worship

One of the greatest invitations Jesus extends to us is not to become more productive, but to become more present.

How often do we spend our quiet moments rehearsing tomorrow’s responsibilities instead of resting in today’s grace?

Our minds race through unfinished tasks.

Conversations we need to have.

Bills that need to be paid.

Family concerns.

Health reports.

Ministry responsibilities.

Yet Jesus gently reminds us:

“Don’t worry about tomorrow…” (Matthew 6:34)

Not because tomorrow isn’t important…

But because He is already there.

Worship begins where worry ends.

When we choose to bring our concerns to God instead of carrying them ourselves, something remarkable happens.

Our circumstances may not immediately change.

But we do.

Our perspective shifts.

Our breathing slows.

Our hearts remember who is in control.

Prayer is not another item to check off our list.

It is the place where our anxious hearts exchange their burdens for His peace.

Paul beautifully captures this invitation:

*“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

The Exchange God Invites

Notice that Paul doesn’t simply tell us to stop worrying.

He tells us what to do instead.

Pray.

Talk to God honestly.

Tell Him exactly what is weighing on your heart. Nothing is too small, too complicated, or too embarrassing to bring before Him.

Then—before the answer arrives…

Before the situation changes…

Before you know how everything will work out…

Thank Him.

Gratitude shifts our focus from what we cannot control to the One who controls all things.

Worry keeps us rehearsing the problem.

Prayer keeps us remembering the Provider.

When Mary chose the good portion, she wasn’t escaping responsibility.

She was choosing relationship over distraction.

She understood something Martha had forgotten in that moment:

The presence of Jesus was more valuable than completing another task.

How often do we do the same?

We tell ourselves,

“I’ll spend time with God after I finish everything.”

But everything is never finished.

There is always another phone call.

Another email.

Another appointment.

Another responsibility.

Another reason to postpone sitting at His feet.

Yet Jesus is still extending the same invitation He offered Mary.

“Come. Sit with Me first.”

Because when we begin with Him, we carry His peace into everything else.

Choosing the Better Portion Today

The “good portion” is available every single day.

Not because life becomes quieter…

But because His presence is greater than the noise.

Perhaps today the Holy Spirit is gently asking:

What has been receiving your first attention lately?

Has worry become your first conversation?

Has fear become your first counselor?

Has your schedule become your master?

Or have you chosen the better portion?

Even fifteen quiet minutes with the Lord can change the atmosphere of an entire day.

Not because every circumstance changes…

But because you do.

Peace begins to replace panic.

Perspective replaces pressure.

Trust replaces striving.

Prayer

Father,

Forgive me for the times I have allowed worry, responsibilities, and distractions to receive more of my attention than You.

Help me to choose the good portion each day.

Teach me to bring every concern to You in prayer instead of carrying it alone.

Quiet the noise around me so I can recognize Your voice above every other voice competing for my attention.

Thank You that Your presence is still my safest place.

May I never become so busy serving You that I neglect simply being with You.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Now,

Sit and enjoy His presence.