:. necessary .:

If I were to make a list of things that are absolutely necessary to my day, a steaming pot of coffee would have to start things off. Also on the list would be things like food, family time, brushing my teeth, and being able to cross an item or two off my to-do list.

If the day in question happened to be, say, a Thursday, then catching The Office would also make the list. Toss in the occasional friend time, shopping trip, or redecorating project, and that pretty much looks like a typical day.

There's a woman in the Bible named Mary; she was Lazarus' sister and lived in Bethany. She is mentioned three times in the gospels, and all three times she is in the exact same place: at the feet of Jesus. Listening to what He said . . . falling at His feet because her heart was broken . . . anointing His feet in an extravagant act of worship.

In one of the accounts (Luke 10:38-42) Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet, drinking in His every word. Her sister Martha is hustling and bustling around, acting all hostess-y ("more coffee? how 'bout another cookie?"), but she complains that Mary isn't lifting a finger to help. She actually says, "Lord, don't you care? Tell her to help me!"

The amazing thing is that Jesus gently lets her know that it is Mary who is doing the right thing here . . . Martha is simply distracted. Mary has "chosen what is better".

And then Jesus says this: "only one thing is necessary."

Let me repeat that: only one thing is necessary.

One thing.

Sitting at Jesus' feet, spending time with the Savior, learning from Him, listening to His voice . . . THAT is the one thing essential to our lives.

Wow.

Time to rethink my day.