Finding Balance: The Better Part of Presence

Summary

As we gather at the threshold of summer, the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 invites us to pause and reflect on the tension between doing and being, between service and presence. Both sisters, deeply loved by Jesus, embody different ways of relating to him—Martha through her boldness, practicality, and service, and Mary through her attentive, expressive devotion. Yet, the heart of the story is not a simple contrast between action and contemplation, nor a lesson about sibling rivalry or household chores. Instead, it reveals a deeper invitation: to examine where our hearts are centered as we move through the demands and distractions of daily life.

Martha’s busyness and worry are not condemned because service is unimportant, but because anxiety and distraction can choke out our awareness of God’s presence and abundance. Jesus gently redirects Martha, not by dismissing her work, but by inviting her to a posture of trust and closeness—what he calls “the better part.” This is not about abandoning our responsibilities, but about living them out from a place of rootedness in God’s love and sufficiency.

The placement of this story between the parable of the Good Samaritan and the Lord’s Prayer in Luke’s Gospel is significant. It points to a life where practical service and deep communion with God are not in competition, but are meant to flow together. The kingdom of God comes through our actions, but those actions are meant to be grounded in a heart that is attuned to God’s presence and purpose.

In a culture marked by time poverty and achievement, Jesus’ invitation is countercultural. We are called to trust that there is enough—enough time, enough value, enough grace—because God is enough. Practicing the presence of God, as Brother Lawrence did, means turning our attention to God in the midst of ordinary tasks, cultivating thankfulness, and allowing awareness of God’s nearness to shape our actions and attitudes. Whether we identify more with Martha or Mary, the invitation is the same: to rest in God’s sufficiency, to recenter our hearts, and to participate in the kingdom of abundance that is already at work in and around us.

Key Takeaways

- The story of Mary and Martha is not a simple endorsement of contemplation over action, but a call to examine the posture of our hearts amid life’s demands. Jesus’ gentle correction of Martha is an invitation to move from anxiety and distraction to trust and presence, reminding us that our value is not in what we produce, but in our closeness to God. [10:03]

- Both Mary and Martha are bold, unconventional disciples in their own right. Martha’s practical leadership and Mary’s expressive devotion show that there are many ways to follow Jesus, but what matters most is that our actions and attitudes are rooted in relationship with him, not in cultural expectations or self-justification. [07:12]

- The placement of this story between the Good Samaritan and the Lord’s Prayer highlights the balance between loving service and prayerful dependence. True kingdom living is not about choosing one over the other, but about integrating both—serving others while remaining centered in God’s love and will. [14:51]

- In a world that prizes busyness and achievement, Jesus’ invitation to “the better part” is radically countercultural. Trusting in God’s abundance means resisting the lie of scarcity and time poverty, and learning to rest in the sufficiency of God’s presence, even as we go about our daily work. [16:38]

- Practicing the presence of God is a daily, practical discipline. Whether through thankfulness, brief pauses for prayer, or simply turning our attention to God in the midst of ordinary routines, we can cultivate an awareness that God is with us and at work in us, transforming even the most mundane moments into opportunities for communion and growth. [18:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:11] - Introduction to the Character Series
[02:56] - Rethinking Mary and Martha
[05:05] - The Boldness of Martha and Mary
[07:12] - Contrasts in Action and Contemplation
[09:07] - Closeness with Jesus and the Real Issue
[10:03] - Worry, Distraction, and the Kingdom
[11:29] - Jesus’ Teaching on Abundance
[13:01] - What is the Better Part?
[14:51] - The Story’s Context: Good Samaritan and Lord’s Prayer
[16:38] - Time Poverty and Achievement Culture
[18:03] - Practicing the Presence of God
[18:56] - Thankfulness and Awareness
[19:30] - When Re-centering is Hard
[20:38] - Resting in God’s Sufficiency
[22:22] - Communion and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Mary, Martha, and the Better Part

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### Bible Reading

- Luke 10:38-42 (Mary and Martha)

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### Observation Questions

1. In the story of Mary and Martha, what specific things was Martha doing, and what was Mary doing? How does Jesus respond to Martha’s request for help?
[[02:56]]

2. According to the sermon, what are some ways that both Mary and Martha show boldness and break cultural norms in their interactions with Jesus?
[[05:05]]

3. What does Jesus identify as the real issue for Martha—her work, or something else?
[[10:03]]

4. Where is this story placed in Luke’s Gospel, and why might that be significant?
[[14:51]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon suggests that the story is not just about action versus contemplation. What deeper invitation does Jesus offer to Martha, and how does this challenge common interpretations of the story?
[[10:03]]

2. How does the placement of the Mary and Martha story between the Good Samaritan and the Lord’s Prayer help us understand what “the better part” might be?
[[14:51]]

3. The sermon mentions “time poverty” and “achievement culture.” How do these cultural pressures relate to Martha’s experience in the story?
[[16:38]]

4. What does it mean to “practice the presence of God” in the midst of ordinary routines, according to the sermon?
[[18:03]]

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### Application Questions

1. Do you find yourself identifying more with Martha (busy, practical, serving) or Mary (attentive, expressive, present)? Why? How does this affect your relationship with God?
[[20:38]]

2. The sermon talks about being “worried and distracted by many things.” What are the main sources of distraction or anxiety in your daily life right now? How do they impact your awareness of God’s presence?
[[10:03]]

3. Jesus invites Martha to trust and be present, not to abandon her responsibilities. What would it look like for you to do your daily work from a place of trust and rootedness in God’s love, rather than anxiety or pressure to achieve?
[[10:03]]

4. The sermon describes “practicing the presence of God” through thankfulness, brief prayers, or pausing during routines. What is one small, practical way you could try this in your week ahead?
[[18:03]]

5. When you feel “time poor” or like you’re never doing enough, how do you usually respond? What would it look like to resist the “lie of scarcity” and rest in God’s sufficiency, as the sermon suggests?
[[16:38]]

6. The story shows that both service and devotion are important, but the heart posture matters most. Is there an area of your life where you are serving out of obligation or anxiety rather than love and presence? What might need to change?
[[10:03]]

7. The sermon ends with the reminder that “God is happy just to be with us no matter where we’re at.” How does this truth challenge or encourage you in your current season of life?
[[20:38]]

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Optional: Close with a time of prayer, inviting God to help each person rest in His sufficiency and to be more aware of His presence in the week ahead.

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing the Better Part—Closeness with Jesus Over Distraction
In the story of Mary and Martha, Jesus gently redirects Martha’s worries and distractions, inviting her—and us—to focus on what truly matters: closeness with Him. The heart of the passage is not about the value of service versus contemplation, but about where our attention and trust are centered as we go about our daily lives. Jesus affirms that Mary has chosen the “better part,” a posture of being present with Him, which cannot be taken away. In a world full of demands and distractions, Jesus calls us to pause, tune in to His presence, and let our hearts rest in the sufficiency of His love and kingdom. [10:03]

Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, 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.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel distracted or anxious today? How can you intentionally pause and invite Jesus into that moment, choosing closeness with Him over worry?


Day 2: Trusting God’s Abundance—Letting Go of Scarcity and Worry
Jesus teaches that the worries and cares of this life can choke out our faith and joy, but He invites us to trust in God’s abundant provision. Just as the Father cares for the birds and flowers, He cares for us, and calls us to seek first His kingdom, trusting that our needs will be met. This posture of trust frees us from a survival mindset and opens us to the fullness and thriving that God desires for us. Even when life feels overwhelming or resources seem scarce, God’s kingdom is one of enough—enough time, enough love, enough grace. [11:29]

Matthew 6:25-33 (ESV)
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Reflection: Where do you feel a sense of “not enough” in your life? What would it look like to trust God’s abundance in that area today?


Day 3: Integrating Service and Presence—Bringing God into Everyday Moments
God’s invitation is not to separate our spiritual life from our daily work, but to integrate His presence into all we do. Like Brother Lawrence, who found profound peace by practicing the presence of God while cooking and working, we are invited to turn our attention to God in the midst of chores, work, and routines. Thankfulness and awareness of God’s nearness can transform ordinary moments into sacred ones, helping us to recenter and respond to the Spirit’s nudges throughout the day. Even when we feel too busy or distracted, small pauses to acknowledge God can shift our hearts and open us to His joy and guidance. [18:03]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Reflection: As you go about your tasks today, what is one ordinary moment where you can pause, give thanks, and invite God’s presence into what you’re doing?


Day 4: Your Value Is Not in What You Produce—Resting in God’s Delight
In a culture that measures worth by productivity and achievement, Jesus reminds us that our value is not determined by what we do, but by who we are in Him. God delights in us simply because we are His, and He is with us in every moment—whether we are thriving or just surviving. We are invited to rest in the truth that God is enough, we are enough, and our efforts are enough because of His grace. This assurance frees us from striving and allows us to experience satisfaction and joy in God’s presence, no matter our circumstances. [20:38]

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Reflection: In what ways have you been measuring your worth by your productivity or achievements? How can you rest in God’s delight and acceptance of you today?


Day 5: Re-centering on God’s Kingdom—Daily Practices for Spiritual Awareness
Staying tuned into God’s kingdom in the midst of busyness requires intentional practices that help us recenter our hearts. Whether it’s pausing for gratitude, praying at set times, or reflecting on where God showed up in your day, these rhythms cultivate awareness of God’s presence and open us to His peace and direction. Even when it feels difficult or unnatural, returning to these practices helps us course-correct and remember that God is always with us, inviting us to participate in His kingdom right where we are. [19:30]

Psalm 16:8-9 (ESV)
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

Reflection: What is one simple practice you can try today to help you notice and respond to God’s presence in the midst of your daily routine?

Quotes

But that is the reality that Jesus is inviting us into. And work, it's trusting that there will be enough, that we are enough, that our efforts are enough, just because of who God is. Work still goes on, but it's a matter of posture. Worry and cares distract us from life in the kingdom and the thriving and the abundance that God has for us. [00:12:10] (00:00:27 seconds) Edit Clip

So putting the two together and considering our text in the middle, it points to a tension between service and actions that are manifestations of God's love and the kingdom, but also how we can get sidetracked or derailed even in doing so. We can get distracted by cares and worries. So to me, the better part is a closeness to God and trusting in his kingdom of abundance. [00:15:40] (00:00:28 seconds) Edit Clip

It's a closeness to God, guiding our steps and trusting that. It's not so much what we do, but it's how we do it. So when we think about this, where is our heart centered as we're going about our days? Is it centered on your kingdom and your will? And do we trust that it's enough as we go about it? [00:16:08] (00:00:22 seconds) Edit Clip

To him, time for work and time for prayer are the same. So the way it works is you turn your attention to the Father, and you kind of review your heart as thoughts come to you. And as you're just doing your things, you talk to God every now and then, you know, when you're working, when you're studying, when you're doing chores, because God is already there anyways. [00:18:03] (00:00:25 seconds) Edit Clip

We get to participate in the kingdom and experience closeness with God no matter what we're doing. I think that's where Mary was on the right track, not because she was sitting and listening, but because whatever she was doing, it was tuned into the kingdom. There's no taking away from that. [00:20:32] (00:00:18 seconds) Edit Clip

It's not what we're doing, it's where our heart is at. And then Jesus responds to this tension by inviting us to rest in enough, a reminder that we can trust that God is enough. We are enough. Our value is not driven by what we do or what we produce. God is happy just to be with us no matter where we're at. And our time is enough. Our efforts are enough. God is at work. Trust that it's happening, even if you can't see it. Just that satisfaction in God's presence. [00:20:54] (00:00:32 seconds) Edit Clip