Luke 10:38–42 // Busyness vs. attentiveness // Kristy Klasa
I can imagine being in Mary and Martha’s living room at that moment. Knowing me, I would probably be thinking something like, “Martha, read the room—do you see anyone else scurrying around? Maybe it’s because Jesus is teaching in your living room, and this would be a great time to listen.” I wonder how many of us have the same reaction to Martha in this scene—and yet, if I’m honest, I relate to her.
How often have I done the same thing—made myself busy instead of pausing, quieting my heart and mind, and simply spending time with the Lord? When I’m alone, shifting from busyness to attentiveness might be as simple as hitting the “Do Not Disturb” button on my phone. It’s a different story when others are around, especially when they’re expecting something from me.
I imagine Martha felt the weight of others’ expectations. It was her home, after all. If I put myself in her shoes, it would matter to me that people felt comfortable and cared for. There is something good and meaningful about creating a warm, welcoming environment.
Have you ever visited the home of someone who truly displays the gift of hospitality? I have. You can feel the intentionality behind their preparation—cleaning, tidying, cooking, anticipating needs. All of that is good, and I genuinely appreciate it. There is a time and place for that kind of preparation. But what ultimately makes me feel most welcomed in someone’s home is not how put-together everything is—it’s their presence with me. Undistracted, unhurried time with me. What a gift!
Martha’s busyness—while understandable—begins to undermine the very purpose of hospitality. Luke tells us she was “distracted with much serving.” She was missing out on a sacred opportunity to not just serve Jesus from a respectable distance, but to be with Him and listen to His teaching. To take the time to know Him and be known by Him.
How kind of Jesus to take a moment to redirect Martha. Despite her obvious distraction and growing frustration, He doesn’t shame her or dismiss her efforts. Instead, He graciously invites Martha to refocus her attention and make the very best use of this moment in time. Everything else can wait.
Two thousand years later, I’m grateful for this story. It reminds me that Jesus sees me—not just in moments of quiet devotion, but in the middle of my busyness. He sees me on a crowded Sunday morning at CVC when I can easily be “distracted with much serving.” And even there, He invites me to pause, to listen, and to be with Him.
Because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross and the gift of the Holy Spirit, that same invitation is available to us today. Jesus invites us to be attentive to Him because He knows how easily our hearts become divided. Attentiveness to Jesus is how we remember who we are and Whose we are. It is how we stay grounded in His love. When we choose to sit at His feet and pay attention to Him, we are choosing the one thing that reorders everything else.
And perhaps even more amazing than this invitation to be attentive to Jesus is the truth that Jesus is attentive to us. He sees Martha in her anxiety and speaks her name with tenderness. He notices her inner turmoil, not just her outward busyness. The same Jesus who invites our attention is already paying attention to us—fully present, deeply aware, and never distracted. What a picture of true hospitality.
Let’s do that today. Let’s set aside our busyness for a while and make room in our hearts to be attentive to Jesus. Start by thanking Him for being attentive to you.
Question to Consider
Where and when is it hardest for you to be attentive to Jesus—and how might remembering His attentiveness to you change the way you approach that space?
Prayer Prompt
Jesus, thank You that You are never distracted from me. Thank You for seeing me in the midst of my busyness and for caring enough about me to not leave me there. Forgive me for allowing busyness to distract me and pull me away from time with You. Help me, Holy Spirit, to turn back to You when I lose sight of the Truth and allow the anxieties of this world to take over my thoughts. Help me to rest in the Truth of Your love. Remind me who I am and Whose I am. Amen.
