The good news is woven through the New Testament in a grace-filled strand that shines especially bright in the Gospel stories of Mary and Martha. The message is this: Salvation isn’t about what I do; it’s about what Jesus did.

The Cross did more than pay for my sins; it set me free from the bondage of the “shoulds” and “if onlys” and “what might have beens.” And Jesus’ words to Martha are the words he wants to speak to your heart and mine: “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.”

The “one thing” is not found in doing more.

It’s found by sitting at his feet.

Catch that: Mary sat at his feet. She didn’t move a muscle. She listened. She didn’t come up with clever responses or a doctrinal thesis. Her gift was availability. (In the end, I believe that was Martha’s gift as well.)

The only requirement for a deeper friendship with God is showing up with a heart open and ready to receive. Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).

Jesus invites us to come and rest, to spend time with him in this incredible Living Room Intimacy. Intimacy that allows us to be honest in our complaints, bold in our approach, and lavish in our love. Intimacy that allows us to hear our Father’s voice and discern our Father’s will. Intimacy that so fills us with his love and his nature that it spills out to our dry, thirsty world in Kitchen Service.

In the Living Room. That’s where it all begins. Down at his feet.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by Joanna Weaver

It is so easy, in the midst of whatever state of life I find myself, to forget that one thing that’s so beautifully illustrated here. Calling it Living Room Intimacy just changes the picture in my mind…for some reason, when I’ve plopped down at Jesus’ feet, it always feels like it has to be somewhere religious, somewhere designated, somewhere else. But who can’t cozy up in the living room? Bring a cuppa, snuggle up with a fleecy blanket in front of the fire, and let’s sit at his feet!