Vist at Martha's House, part 5: When the service is too much

But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." (Luke 10:40 NASB)

Jesus had invited Himself and his disciples to visit at Martha's home. She and Mary were delighted to see them, and Martha immediately began to prepare a meal for them. The word here translated as "preparations" is diakonia and indicates the "work of service". Martha began by serving the Savior. It was when the work of service became more important than the Savior she intended to serve that the trouble started. Anger and resentment quickly bubbled over. 

This is an important principle and one we would do well to understand. When our service becomes more important than our Savior, nothing good can come of it. That shift in priority will immediately bring a weariness in the work, and a resentment for the lack of assistance. There is a great need for works of service, but the greatest need of all is for those who do the work of service to spend time at the feet of Jesus, learning from Him. 

As we begin our day and the service we will give, let's pause to consider which takes priority for us, our service or our Savior. Let's be sure our first work of service is at His feet, seeking Him first, and doing our work of service simply as a gift to our Lord.