What is the Better Part in this Season of Your Life?

As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

I’ve had countless conversations in recent weeks about the real heaviness many are experiencing in our world. It becomes easy to get mired in a constant onslaught of bad news, with minute-by-minute updates that can leave us paralyzed.

Starting during Lent, I intentionally changed how I follow the news. I believe it’s important to stay informed and to pray for our world. But it also became clear that I needed to change how I was absorbing that information. I stopped watching television news. Now, I only read the newspaper online—and just once a day. I’ve found this change incredibly helpful. I stay up to date without being constantly distracted or overwhelmed. It helps me stay grounded in the good things that are still happening in my life and in the world.

I also recently deactivated my social media accounts. So, if you see me online, it will only be through the St. Mark’s feed. This decision felt important. I wasn’t on social media before the pandemic, and while I’ll miss seeing some updates on Facebook and Instagram, stepping away has been a positive choice for me.

I’m not suggesting these are practices you need to adopt. We each must discern how we engage with the world. Technology isn’t inherently good or bad—but it clearly has the power to affect our brain chemistry. Paying attention to that has helped me. Being worried and distracted by many things isn’t just Martha’s problem—it’s a cultural crisis. Our ability to focus is diminishing, and anxiety is an ever-present concern.

But this is not what Jesus desires for us. He doesn’t scold Martha for working. He calls her attention to the fact that she’s so distracted, she’s consumed by worry and resentment.

I often joke that when I find my patience wearing thin, it’s not because the people around me have suddenly become more annoying. It’s usually a sign I haven’t spent enough time in prayer or self-care. Worry and distraction are reminders to re-evaluate.

What “the better part” looks like for me, shifts with the seasons of life. And there are hard seasons. But knowing that Jesus longs for me to be at his feet is both a comfort and an invitation.

Peace, Beth +