Martha or Mary: Which One Are You?

Let’s be honest. Most days feel like a race against the clock, deadlines looming, emails unanswered, orders to fulfill, families to tend to, and somehow, we’re also supposed to keep our sanity and our spiritual life intact. Sound familiar?

In Luke 10:38–42, we read about two sisters, Martha and Mary, who welcomed Jesus into their home. Martha busied herself with preparations, doing what many of us would consider admirable and responsible. Meanwhile, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening intently. When Martha complained, Jesus responded gently, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Whew.

Every time I read that passage, it cuts deep. Because if I’m being honest, I am Martha way more often than I am Mary. And as a creative entrepreneur, a woman of faith, and someone who desires to live a life that honors God, it’s easy to justify all the things I “need” to be doing. After all, who else is going to answer the messages, schedule the launches, fulfill the orders, parent, and keep the vision moving?

But the truth is, all the “doing” in the world can’t substitute for simply being with Jesus.

When Busyness Looks Like Faithfulness

Martha wasn’t wrong for serving. Serving is good. It’s necessary. In fact, most of us are wired to be Martha-like, productive, responsible, and reliable. But the danger comes when our busyness distracts us from intimacy. When our schedule is packed, but our spiritual well is dry. When we check off all the tasks, but forget to check in with the One who gave us the assignment.

Even in business, we can idolize the hustle and overlook the Holy. We say we’re working “unto the Lord,” but we rarely pause long enough to hear what the Lord is actually saying. We tell ourselves we’re being good stewards, but our anxiety and burnout say otherwise.

God never called us to be so busy doing things for Him that we neglect spending time with Him.

Mary’s Posture Over Martha’s Pace

Mary chose presence over productivity. She understood something Martha had yet to realize: everything flows from intimacy with Christ. Our peace. Our clarity. Our strategy. Our creativity. Our endurance.

This applies in every area: our personal lives, relationships, parenting, ministries, and yes, even our businesses.

When we start our day from a place of rest in God rather than running on fumes, things shift. Decisions are clearer. Boundaries are stronger. Grace flows freely. When we prioritize time in His presence, we walk with a confidence that can’t be manufactured through striving.

What’s Driving You: Purpose or Performance?

Here’s a tough question I had to ask myself recently, and maybe it’ll challenge you too:

Are you showing up each day to impress people or to honor God?

The answer can often be found in our pace. If we’re constantly striving, stressing, and spiritually depleted, we might operate more like Martha; driven by duty, distracted by details, and missing out on the better portion.

Reordering Our Rhythm

This isn’t a call to abandon responsibility. It’s a call to re-order our rhythm. To remember that God isn’t just pleased by what we produce, He delights in our presence. When we sit at His feet first, everything else begins to find its rightful place.

Your quiet time isn’t a checkbox. It’s your lifeline.

So whether you’re preparing dinner like Martha or designing digital products like me, let’s ask ourselves daily:

Have I sat with the Savior before I served the world?

Final Thought

There’s a little bit of Martha and Mary in all of us. The goal isn’t to choose between them, but to make sure we keep Mary’s heart, even while doing Martha’s work.

Let’s Pray

Lord, help me not to get so caught up in the work that I miss You in the moment. I don’t want to serve from an empty place. Teach me to sit with You before I serve others. Show me how to balance the Martha in me with the Mary you’re calling me to become. Let my business, my life, and my purpose be led by Your presence, not my performance. In Jesus’ name, amen.

FREE family, if this spoke to you, take a moment today to pause. Grab your Bible. Put the phone down. And just be with Jesus. I promise you, He’ll meet you right where you are. Because no matter how full your schedule is, time with Him is always the better portion.

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