Grace Calls Us to Be — Not to Do

Our minds are conditioned to believe we must always be doing something. We often feel guilty when we rest or simply do nothing. So accustomed are we to busyness that we equate it with productivity. We even shape our conversations to highlight how busy we are, sometimes using it to justify our unavailability.

While this mindset is common and socially accepted, the story of Mary and Martha in the scriptures reminds us that constant activity is not always necessary. It’s about choice — and we can choose to pause and rest, even from the tasks we consider essential, the ones that feel impossible to leave undone.

In the story, Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and, as a gracious host busied herself with preparations. She worked tirelessly to make everything perfect, while her sister Mary simply sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him.

Martha grew tired and frustrated. The more she did—preparing the perfect meal and arranging things perfectly, ensuring everything was in order, the more anxious she became. Eventually, her frustration boiled over.

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” She said, addressing Jesus.

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but only one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” He replied.

Those were not the words Martha expected. She was doing all the work while her sister did nothing. The guests had to be served, and Jesus knew this. But He also knew what Martha needed most: rest. His words were an invitation to step out of striving and into stillness, to trade her busyness for presence.

He was inviting her to stop doing and start being.

She had been so busy serving Jesus that she almost missed simply being with Him. Her heart’s intention was pure — but her awareness was clouded by distraction. Grace met her there, not to condemn her, but to awaken her—to open her eyes to what was important.

Awareness

Grace calls us to the realization that God does not need our performance — He desires our presence. When we pause long enough to sit at His feet, like Mary, something shifts inside. Our doing stops being a way to prove our worth and becomes an overflow of love.

Awareness is that gentle moment when the noise begins to fade, and the whisper of God becomes clear. We realise that we do not need to do anything to be in His good books, we already are.

All He wants is for us to recognise His presence and express His love. His desire is to be recognised and expressed.

Reflection

• Have you been too busy to recognise His presence and receive His guidance?
• What would happen if you stopped striving long enough to listen, if you spent a few minutes in stillness?
• Would you consider sparing 10% of your time to sit in quietness and just listen?

Grace speaks in the stillness. It is here that everything begins.