July 20, 2025
Pastor Brandon
Reflections on the Sunday Sermon
Linda Waltersdorf Cobourn
JUST ONE THING
“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.”
—Luke 10:41–42
My bulletin was marked up with highlighters in a rainbow of colors. Arrows pointed to notes I wanted to say, reminders of announcements, and transitions between each part of the worship service. I had even written out the pastoral prayer word for word, rehearsing the “seamless” order so I wouldn’t miss a beat.
With a little pride, I showed it to Pastor Amy before my first Sunday as liturgist.
“You’re such a teacher!” she said with a smile. “So well organized! But, Linda”—she added gently, placing a hand on my arm—“sometimes it’s best to just let the Holy Spirit speak.”
Let the Holy Spirit speak? That was a lesson I needed to learn—and one that Martha of Bethany also had to learn.
Many of us relate to Martha. We want to create a welcoming home, put on a good meal, keep everything running smoothly. And there’s nothing wrong with those gifts of service. But they shouldn’t come at the expense of what matters most: sitting at the feet of Jesus.
When Jesus visited the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, Martha naturally wanted to make a good impression. She rushed around, anxious and frustrated, while Mary simply sat and listened to Jesus.
Martha didn’t hide her irritation. “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40)
But Jesus lovingly corrected her, reminding her—and us—that many things compete for our time and attention, while the most important thing is often overlooked.
“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”
—Psalm 27:4a
Scripture records two more moments with Martha and Jesus. In John 11:27, she acknowledges her unwavering faith in the ability of Jesus to raise her brother Lazarus. In John 12:2, she serves a meal again—but this time, there’s no complaint. She’s learned something about presence over performance.
I’ve now served as a liturgist for two years. I no longer write every word into the bulletin margins. Like Pastor Amy encouraged, I’ve learned to trust the Spirit to guide what I say and pray.
Takeaway:
Come, friends. Set down the busywork. Sit at His feet. Listen well. And as Jesus said in Luke 18:22—follow Him.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, help me to choose what is better today—to pause, listen, and sit at Your feet. Quiet my anxious heart and teach me to follow You with joy. Amen.
“Sometimes it’s best to just let the Holy Spirit speak.”
