He’s alive! That’s what I wanted to shout as I sat in the quiet church service. We were singing a stirring song of praise but many seemed to be whispering or not even singing. I felt the need to turn down my volume so I wouldn’t stand out. But my frustration grew as I wondered why others weren’t audibly declaring their affection to their Savior.

Whether you are more introverted or extroverted, more reserved or more expressive, worshipping God is an important part of our faith.

While I was tempted to boss the congregants into singing with more gusto, two sisters from Bethany (in Luke 10:38-42) changed my perspective. Their story taught me a thing (or four) about worshipping God.

Two Sisters, Two Different Approaches to Worship

Mary and Martha in the Bible, were friends of Jesus (as was their brother, Lazarus). They welcomed Jesus and his followers into their home. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him, while Martha was worried and distracted by the preparations for their guests.

Martha felt all alone in her serving so she asked Jesus to tell her sister to lend a hand.

Jesus responded to her (in Luke 10:41-42): “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.”

For centuries, women who are made like Martha have felt guilty for being wired as a doer, based on this biblical account. But let’s pull back the curtain to see what’s really going on. What can we learn about worship, from this exchange between Jesus and Martha?

Was Jesus asking Martha to stop doing in order to sit? Or did His correction go beyond the obvious?

What if Jesus wasn’t even asking Martha to sit down physically, but was inviting her to choose to worship Him, even while she served? Share on X

What if Jesus wasn’t even asking Martha to sit down physically, but was inviting her to choose to worship Him, even while she served?

Jesus showed Martha the importance of making His Presence a priority, like Mary was doing, even in the midst of the busyness of life.

Here are 4 Lessons We Can Learn about Worship from Mary and Martha…

You might also like:

The Martha + Mary Show Podcast

15 Great Women of the Bible Every Christian Woman Should Study (Equipping Godly Women Series)

You Can Worship While You Work (guest post for Tricia Goyer)