The Cycle of Tasks

Sometimes, life feels like an endless cycle of tasks. The monotony of checking off the same to-do list day after day can leave us wondering: Is this really all there is?

• Another back-to-school season.

• The same supplies—but at triple the cost.

• Meet the teacher…again.

• School physicals, uniforms, practices.

• Family time? Pencil it in. Set a reminder to have fun!

It’s all on a loop. Laundry, work, church, broken people, needy family members—everyone always needing more. More than we have to give.

Surely, we were made for more than just existing as depleted taskmasters, living to check boxes, celebrating momentary accomplishments (before the next demand arises), and rewarding ourselves with a cookie—or, let’s be honest, probably not, because life is expensive.

Surely, there’s more.

Beyond Efficiency: Seeking Depth

We live in a task-driven society, obsessed with efficiency. We have tablets, computers, and minicomputers in our pockets, all designed to help us do more things faster.

But have we become so efficient that we are now spiritually, emotionally, and mentally deficient?

Have we lost appreciation for the holy moments hidden inside the very tasks we rush through?

Is life really just a giant to-do list?

As I race through my day, I hear the words of Jesus:

“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.” (Luke 10:41-42)

How many of us are chronically Martha?

We’re doing all the things, but we’re not happy about it. In fact, we’re frustrated, discontent, and resentful—so our solution?

Do more things.

The math doesn’t work.

Rediscovering the Necessary ‘One Thing’

What if life isn’t about tasks at all?

Yes, tasks are necessary for responsible living, but what if there’s something more?

What if within these tasks, there are holy moments—divine appointments with Jesus that we are missing in our rush?

What if we are choosing everything else—except the one thing that is truly necessary?

Jesus said:

“You’re troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.”

It’s as if He’s saying: All the things you are losing sleep over are just noise. You need just one thing: time spent with Me.

Seeking, learning, submitting.

That is a lost way of living in our age.

We choose everything else all day long. We give Jesus a few rushed verses, a scattered prayer, an angry plea hurled heavenward in a moment of crisis—and then we wonder why we feel empty.

We have not chosen the one thing that is necessary.

When Was the Last Time…?

• You sat with Jesus—without distraction?

• You let the silence around you echo with His purpose?

• The weight of everything brought you down to His feet, where you declared your need for Him?

• You realized that you are not self-sufficient—and that you were never meant to be?

Jesus whispers:

"Come sit with Me for a while. It’s necessary."

Whether you are:

• Thriving in success.

• Walking through your darkest season.

• Coasting through life, just checking boxes.

One thing remains necessary.

We must be people who set aside everything else for the necessity of time with Jesus.

When we don’t, the damage spreads—to our attitudes, our relationships, and our very souls.

Martha’s Moment of Truth

Martha, in her frustration, took her complaints to Jesus.

She didn’t go about it perfectly. She was:

• Agitated

• Irritated

• Angry

But she still went to Him.

And Jesus didn’t punish her.

He lovingly pointed her in the right direction.

Finding Balance: A Lesson from a Friend

A friend of mine texts me every Sunday night:

"Hey friend, how can I be praying for you this week?"

I received her text in the middle of a full-blown Martha moment.

I was frustrated. I was exhausted. I was overwhelmed.

I replied: “I guess you can pray for my attitude.”

Because wow, had I been wrestling with it.

She’s the kind of friend who prays and follows up, who listens and encourages without demanding anything in return. And at that moment, I was so tempted to let everything fly.

But God had been marinating the story of Martha and Mary in my heart.

And suddenly, I saw it.

Mary sat at Jesus’ feet.

• She wasn’t frantic.

• She wasn’t frustrated.

• She wasn’t running on empty.

Why?

Because she had started her day at the feet of Jesus.

Embracing the Necessary

When I neglect the necessity of time with Jesus, I start to see everything as a task—a box to be checked.

But what happens when:

• Things don’t go as planned?

• Issues resurface, demanding more energy?

• People disappoint?

• Unexpected interruptions pull me off schedule?

• I feel like I’m just surviving, not living?

Suddenly, I realize:

I am chronically Martha.

And I suspect—in our overloaded, efficiency-driven culture—you might be, too.

But here’s the truth:

Jesus never told Martha she was bad for being a doer.

He simply told her:

"Come sit with Me. It’s necessary."

So if you’re struggling with chronic Martha syndrome, don’t be discouraged.

Even in her frustration, Martha still went to Jesus.

And as always, He lovingly pointed her to the one thing that matters most.