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In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of tasks, responsibilities, and goals. We often find ourselves racing against time, trying to accomplish everything on our to-do lists. But in this frantic pace, are we missing something crucial? Are we overlooking the one thing that truly matters?

Let's take a moment to reflect on a powerful story from the Bible. In Luke 10:38-42, we encounter two sisters, Mary and Martha, who welcomed Jesus into their home. While Martha busied herself with preparations and serving, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, listening to His teachings. Martha, feeling overwhelmed and perhaps a bit resentful, asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus' response is profound and thought-provoking:

"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."

This story invites us to examine our own lives. How often do we find ourselves in Martha's shoes, frantically trying to serve and accomplish tasks, while neglecting the "good portion" that Mary chose? It's not that Martha's actions were wrong – hospitality and service are important. But Jesus gently points out that Mary's choice to focus on Him was even more crucial.

In our journey of faith and personal growth, it's easy to become distracted by the "many things" that demand our attention. We set goals, make plans, and work tirelessly to achieve them. But what if we're missing the most important aspect of our spiritual lives?

The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." This transformation isn't about doing more or achieving greater things. It's about aligning our thoughts, actions, and attitudes with Jesus Christ. It's about seeing ourselves through His eyes and understanding our true value in Him.

However, this journey of transformation isn't without challenges. The moment we decide to move forward in our relationship with Jesus, opposition often arises. We see this illustrated in Matthew 16, where Jesus praises Peter for his faith, only to rebuke him moments later for thinking in human terms rather than God's perspective.

This reminds us that the enemy will try to capitalize on our mindset. He'll attempt to distract us from our focus on Christ, often using those closest to us. But we must remember that opposition often means we're growing and producing fruit in our spiritual lives.

So, what can we take away from all of this? What's the "good portion" that can't be taken away?

1. Our value in God's sight: This isn't based on what we do, but on who we are in Christ. Taking time to truly know Him – not just in our heads, but in our hearts – is crucial to understanding our worth and God's plan for us.

2. Time spent with Jesus transforms us: As Luke 6:40 says, "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." The more we sit at Jesus' feet, like Mary, the more we become like Him.

3. Good works flow from relationship: When we prioritize our relationship with Jesus, our actions and goals naturally align with His will. It's not about doing things for Him, but about knowing Him intimately.

As we think about our future – where we want to be in five years or even further ahead – it's natural to have concerns. What if the changes we want don't happen? What if we're not as far along as we'd hoped? What if our plans fail?

But here's the beautiful truth: If our focus is on knowing Jesus rather than just doing things for Him, these "what ifs" lose their power over us. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that God "is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us."

Our journey isn't about perfecting our performance or achieving every goal we set. It's about becoming more like Christ, day by day, through our relationship with Him. This is the "good portion" that can't be taken away – no matter what circumstances we face.

So, as we navigate our daily lives and plan for the future, let's take a cue from Mary. Let's choose to sit at Jesus' feet, listening to His voice and allowing His truth to transform us from the inside out. Let's shift our focus from merely doing things for God to truly knowing Him.

In doing so, we may find that our perspective on success, purpose, and fulfillment shifts dramatically. We may discover that the most important accomplishment isn't checking off items on our to-do list, but growing in our understanding of God's love and our identity in Him.

Remember, it's not about reducing our relationship with Jesus to serving Him. It's about cultivating intimacy with Him, allowing that relationship to inform and inspire everything else in our lives. As we do this, we'll find that our good works and goals naturally flow from this place of connection and love.

So, what will you choose today? Will you, like Martha, get caught up in the busyness of life? Or will you, like Mary, choose the "good portion" – the one thing that truly can't be taken away?

Let's commit to prioritizing our relationship with Jesus above all else. Let's sit at His feet, listen to His voice, and allow His truth to transform us. In doing so, we'll discover a depth of purpose and fulfillment that no earthly accomplishment can match – a treasure that truly can't be taken away.