“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” LUKE 10:41–42
Ask a few folks how they’re doing today, and I guarantee you at least one will raise their eyebrows and say, “Busy!” Whether it’s a mom juggling soccer practices and gymnastics, or a college student keeping up with classes and running for student government, or the person working at Arby’s slicing the roast beef, everyone has their head down and their plate full of activity. It’s not surprising that we often find our identity in the things we accomplish. We let responsibilities and activities in our lives build layer by layer on top of us until we finally break underneath them.
A lot of beauty gets buried in that hustle. What most of us long for, more than anything else, is a community where we can simply be known and loved. We want to be seen for who we actually are, not what we do or the person we appear to be. And we want to see others in their vulnerability too. This is the deepest need we all feel, and it’s the easiest to meet in one another when we choose to make ourselves available.
If your schedule robs you of the joy of simply being fully present with the people you love, then it’s time to quit a couple of things. We can’t be new creations if everything stays the same. Don’t feel stuck in all your activities; bail on the few that are robbing you of your ability to be present with the people you love the most. Friendship and hospitality are central to our new identity, and we can’t welcome people into our lives if we’re too busy to be available to them.
Quit something today. A job, a habit, a hobby, or sport that is stealing you away from the ones you love the most. You’ve been given not only permission by God to prioritize people over projects but the agency to do something about it.
What activities are getting in the way of your experiencing deeper love?
Intentional Faith 