Mary Chose the Better Part…
Earlier today I was having a conversation with a friend of mine regarding Ministry.
I was reminded of a post I wrote maybe more than two years ago regarding the Church of Ephesus and how the similarities exist to this present day.
As I sat with The LORD I heard in my Spirit “The Priests ministered before The LORD!”
We find that statement in the book of Deuteronomy 10:8.
I was also reminded of the Scriptures where Jesus told Martha that, “Mary chose the better part…” (Luke 10:42)
Jesus never rebuked Martha for serving, He rebuked her for being troubled about many things and missing the one thing.
Mary chose the better part — to sit at His feet and hear His word (Luke 10:38-42).
The Church at Ephesus had works, labour, patience, discernment… yet Jesus still said, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4).
This is where we are in this generation.
We know how to build platforms, manage content, expose error, and labour for His name, but this is what I believe is on The LORD’s Heart is for us to return to our first love!
The truth, is we were called before His Presence before we were called to a platform!
Too many of us are too focused on performing in Ministry, thinking we are doing service to God erroneously thinking that it is our identity and purpose while neglecting to Minister to Him!
This is why you can have people very active in Ministry and yet far from His Heart, and others seemingly “hidden,” but Heaven recognizes them as faithful Priests.
“That ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:9.
Ministry is an expression of that purpose, not the definition of it.
When Ministry becomes identity, we will chase platforms, fear obscurity, measure ourselves by applause and invitations.
But when Ministry is obedience, we will serve in the hidden place or public place with the same heart, be content if God says, “Be quiet this season,” let Him choose when and how promotion comes.
Promotion comes from God (Psalm 75:6-7), not from algorithms, engagements, or alliances.
May we return to the better part to minister to The LORD first, to stand before Him as priests, and to let every assignment flow out of love, not out of performance.
Shalom
~ Syreeta Thomas
Wow!!’ I just wrote this exact phrase in my journal last week. Mary had chosen “the better part” and that is found in the person of Jesus! We need to continually and daily “choose” the better portion! Mary sat at his feet, feasting on his words. She sought first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
When Jesus says “she has chosen the better part and it will not be taken away from her” I stopped!
How could that be when He was soon to be literally taken away and crucified? But, the word that became flesh and dwelt among us, became the bread of life for Mary, Martha and his body of believers, his bride.
So, even when he is taken away, to fulfill his fathers will, it is his words that will continue to proclaim life and life abundantly. Because heaven and earth may pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Thank you so much Syreeta for your post. I pray for those in Ministry who appear very much ‘for the show’; it fills me with such sorrow and fear for these motivational speakers, our modern-day pastors, who have forgotten their first love. Their platforms have become a mixture; they do not teach from His Torah as they do not know His Torah. My prayer is that those in Ministry remember Who they are ministering to. Amen Syreeta: “May we return to the better part to minister to the Lord first, to stand before Him as priests, and to let every assignment flow out of love, not out of performance.” God bless you and your family.
So true..thank you.