Are You A Martha?

Key Scripture

She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus‘ feet and heard his word.

“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 10:39-42 NIV.

In today’s culture of constant motion, it can feel like saying “yes” is the only way to stay afloat. Yes to opportunities, yes to expectations, yes to every demand that comes our way. But God invites us into a better rhythm. In Luke 10, the contrast between Mary and Martha presents more than a personality difference. It reveals a spiritual principle. Discernment leads to peace, while distraction leads to anxiety. Martha’s service wasn’t wrong. In fact, her wish to care for Jesus was noble. But in her busyness, she missed the greater invitation—simply being with Him. Mary, on the other hand, chose stillness over stress, presence over pressure. Her choice wasn’t passive; it was intentional. She discerned the sacred in the moment and responded with a wholehearted yes to what mattered most. This lesson is about learning to do the same. We’ll explore how to hear God’s voice above the noise. We will learn how to give our “yes” to the assignments He truly wants us to carry. We will discover how to release the distractions that wear us down. By examining Scripture, we will see how biblical women and men made holy choices. They did so in noisy seasons. We’ll rediscover the freedom and fruitfulness that come from Spirit-led discernment.

Key Points

1.  Discernment Starts by Sitting at Jesus’ Feet. Martha had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. Luke 10:39 NIV.

Mary chose presence over pressure. Not because there was nothing to do, but because she knew what mattered most in that moment. Discernment begins in God’s presence. Before we can sort the important from the unimportant, we must hear His voice. Sitting at Jesus’ feet isn’t inactivity—it’s spiritual alignment. The clarity we long for doesn’t come from frantic decision making, but from peaceful listening.

2. Distractions Often Come Disguised as Duties. ‛Martha was distracted with much serving“— Luke 10:40 (WEB). Martha wasn’t doing anything wrong. She was doing everything at the wrong time. Not every opportunity is an assignment from God. The enemy of discernment is often disguised in good things that pull us away from God things. We must learn to pause and ask: “Is this obedience—or obligation?”

3. The Holy No Makes Room for the Sacred Yes. ‛Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. One thing is needed. Jesus gently corrected Martha, not because she was non spiritual but because of her focus from devotion to distraction. A holy“no”is not rejection—it’s redirection. Saying no to something—even something good—creates space for the “one thing” that brings true peace and fulfillment. Discernment is the art of narrowing our attention to what God is really asking of us.

4. A Disciplined Life Flows from a Discerning Heart. “Don’t be conformed to this world. Instead, be transformed by the renewing of your mind. This transformation helps you prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.“ — Romans 12:2 WEB. Mary’s decision flowed from a renewed mind and a heart set on hearing Jesus. Discernment isn’t about guessing it’s about alignment with God’s Spirit. As we allow God to shape our minds, we start to recognize what is truly His will. A discerning woman becomes a steady woman—anchored, not tossed about by every demand or emotion.

5. God Honors Those Who Choose What Matters Most. Mary has chosen the good part. It will not be taken away from her. — Luke 10:42 WEB Mary’s choice had eternal value. Jesus affirmed her focus, even when others didn’t understand it. The world will not applaud your sacred yes—but Jesus will. Discernment is a form of worship: choosing God’s priorities over public approval. What we say yes to and no to, shapes the legacy we leave behind.