Saturday, 10th May, 2025

Key Scriptures: Luke 10:38-42; Psalm 27:4; Mark 3:14

Beloved, on this beautiful Saturday, the 10th of May, 2025, whether you are reading this in Warri, Delta State, or any other part of the world, God has a specific word for our hearts. It is a word that calls us back to the very foundation of our faith, a principle so vital that neglecting it can lead even the most zealous among us into spiritual peril. Today, we delve into a crucial theme: The Danger of Serving Without Intimacy.

In our journey of faith, the call to serve is powerful and biblical. We are surrounded by needs, opportunities abound, and the desire to contribute to God’s kingdom can burn brightly within us. However, it is remarkably easy to become preoccupied with the acts of service and gradually, sometimes imperceptibly, lose sight of the One we serve. This isn’t a new challenge; it’s a timeless human tendency, vividly illustrated in the encounter Jesus had in the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary.

The Timeless Tale of Two Sisters: A Study in Priorities

The scene, recorded in Luke 10:38-42, is familiar yet ever profound. Jesus and His disciples arrive in a village, and a woman named Martha opens her home to Him. What a privilege! What an honor! Martha, true to her nature, immediately springs into action, bustling about with “much serving” (Luke 10:40). She was undoubtedly driven by a genuine love for Jesus and a desire to be an excellent hostess. Her intentions were good; her hands were busy making preparations, ensuring her esteemed guest was comfortable and well-catered for. In many ways, Martha represents the dedicated, action-oriented believer, eager to do great things for the Lord.

However, while Martha was immersed in the practicalities of service, her sister, Mary, made a different choice. Mary “sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word” (Luke 10:39). She chose presence over preparation, listening over laboring, communion over commotion. She recognized the unparalleled opportunity to be in direct fellowship with the Master, to absorb His teachings, to simply be with Him.

Martha, increasingly overwhelmed and perhaps feeling the pressure of her self-imposed duties, became “distracted with much serving.” This distraction soon morphed into frustration, and she approached Jesus, not with a request for help, but with a complaint tinged with exasperation: “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me” (Luke 10:40). Her focus had shifted from serving Jesus to the burden of her service and the perceived inaction of her sister.

Jesus’ response is gentle yet profoundly instructive: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).¹

Let us dissect this divine counsel:

Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.” Jesus acknowledged her activity but identified the underlying anxiety and distraction. Her service, though well-intentioned, was leading her into a state of internal turmoil, not peace. This is a red flag for any servant of God. When our service produces more stress than spiritual serenity, something is amiss.

But one thing is needed…” In the midst of many good things one could do, Jesus highlighted one essential thing. This “one thing” is not a dismissal of service, but the prioritization of the source from which all true service must flow: unhurried, attentive fellowship with Him.

…and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Jesus affirmed Mary’s choice. She chose to invest in what was primary, what was eternal. The meal Martha was preparing would be consumed and forgotten, but the words Mary heard, the intimacy she cultivated, would have lasting spiritual impact. This “good part” – this deep, personal connection with the Lord – is an eternal treasure, impervious to the decay of time or the shifting circumstances of life.

This narrative isn’t a condemnation of service or an endorsement of inactivity. Rather, it’s a powerful illustration of right priorities. Martha’s problem wasn’t her desire to serve, but that her service had become detached from, and had begun to overshadow, her relationship with the Server. She was serving for Jesus, but had momentarily stopped being with Jesus.

The Perilous Path of Activity Devoid of Intimacy

The core message of our devotional today hinges on this crucial distinction: When your service for God surpasses your intimacy with Him, spiritual fatigue and frustration soon follow. This isn’t a theoretical assertion; it’s a painfully lived experience for many sincere believers. Pastors, ministry leaders, church workers, and dedicated Christians in every walk of life have found themselves discouraged, burnt out, and disillusioned because they inadvertently prioritized activity for God over an abiding relationship with God.

Consider the dangers that arise when we tread this path:

1. Spiritual Depletion and Burnout: Intimacy with God is our spiritual lifeline. It’s where we draw strength, refresh our spirits, and receive divine enablement. When we serve from an empty well, relying on our own energy, talents, and determination, burnout is inevitable. We become like a car running on fumes – eventually, it sputters and stops. The joy of service evaporates, replaced by a weary sense of obligation.
2. Frustration and Discouragement: Service without intimacy often leads to a focus on visible results. When those results don’t meet our expectations, or when our efforts seem unappreciated, frustration sets in. We may begin to question our effectiveness, our calling, or even God’s faithfulness, forgetting that true fruitfulness is a byproduct of abiding in the Vine (John 15:4-5).
3. Losing Sight of “The Why”: The initial passion that drove us to serve can wane when intimacy fades. Service can become mechanical, a set of religious duties performed out of habit rather than heartfelt devotion. We go through the motions, but our hearts are not truly engaged. The focus shifts from glorifying God and loving people to maintaining programs or fulfilling roles.
4. Misrepresenting God’s Character: When we serve from a place of stress, irritation, or self-righteousness (as Martha momentarily did), we risk giving others a distorted picture of the God we claim to represent. True Christian service should reflect the love, grace, patience, and joy of our Savior. This is only possible when we are consistently drawing these virtues from Him.
5. Subtle Shift to Self-Reliance: In the absence of deep reliance on God cultivated through intimacy, we can begin to depend on our own talents, abilities, experience, or charisma. Successes may subtly be attributed to our efforts, and failures may lead to crippling self-condemnation. Pride or insecurity can take root where humble dependence on God should be.
6. Increased Vulnerability to Temptation: Spiritual dryness and emotional exhaustion make us more susceptible to discouragement, doubt, and even sin. When we are not finding our primary satisfaction and strength in God, the allure of worldly comforts or ungodly coping mechanisms can become stronger.
7. Activity Without True Impact: We can be incredibly busy yet achieve very little of eternal significance. God is not primarily looking for our activity; He is looking for our availability and our willingness to be channels of His power. Service born of human effort may look impressive, but it often lacks the anointing and spiritual vitality that brings genuine transformation to lives.

Do not forget this foundational principle: your relationship with God is the foundation upon which all effective and sustainable service is built. It is the roots that anchor the tree and draw the sap necessary for fruit-bearing. Without strong roots of intimacy, the tree of our service, no matter how many branches of activity it has, will eventually wither or be easily toppled by storms.

The Divine Order: Being Before Doing

The pattern God establishes is clear: intimacy precedes impact; being precedes doing. We see this in the calling of the disciples. Mark 3:14 tells us, “Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.” Notice the divine order:

That they might be with Him” – This was the primary call. To fellowship with Him, learn from Him, observe His life, absorb His character, and understand His heart. This was the period of intensive intimacy and discipleship.

And that He might send them out to preach” – Service, ministry, and being sent out were secondary, flowing directly from the first. They were equipped and empowered because they had been with Him.

This sequence is not arbitrary; it is divine wisdom. The first call for every believer is to intimacy – to be with Him. It is in the “being with Him” that we are transformed, equipped, and given the message and the power for effective service. If we reverse this order, attempting to “go” and “do” without first “being,” we set ourselves up for the dangers previously outlined. Our sending must be an overflow of our “being with.”

The Heart’s Deepest Longing: Lessons from David

King David, a man described as being after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), understood this principle profoundly. Despite being a king, a warrior, a national leader with immense responsibilities, his ultimate desire was not power, fame, or success in his endeavors, but the presence of God. He declared in Psalm 27:4, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.”

This “one thing” – this singular, consuming passion for intimacy with God – was the secret to David’s strength, his poetic genius, his victories, and even his capacity for deep repentance when he failed. He recognized that genuine power, wisdom, and effectiveness in his multifaceted service as king flowed not merely from his natural abilities, his strategic acumen, or his royal status, but from his consistent, devoted fellowship with God. He knew that beholding God’s beauty (His character, His glory, His ways) and inquiring in His temple (seeking His counsel, listening to His voice) was the prerequisite for ruling justly and living wisely.

David’s life teaches us that no amount of responsibility or activity is too great to preclude the necessity of prioritizing intimacy with God. In fact, the greater our responsibilities, the more desperately we need that anchoring fellowship.

What Does True Intimacy Look Like?

If intimacy is so crucial, what does it practically involve? It’s more than a fleeting quiet time or a ritualistic prayer. True intimacy with God is a deep, personal, ongoing, and dynamic relationship. It involves:

Intentional, Two-Way Communication (Prayer): Not just presenting our list of requests, but also listening for His voice, sharing our hearts honestly, and enjoying His companionship.

Engaging with His Word (Scripture): Reading, studying, and meditating on the Bible not just for information, but for transformation and to hear God speak personally.

Wholehearted Worship: Expressing our adoration, gratitude, and reverence to God, both privately and corporately, acknowledging His supreme worth.

Cultivating Stillness and Solitude: Purposefully creating space in our busy lives to quiet our minds and hearts before God, to simply “be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Obedience Born of Love: Demonstrating our love for God by joyfully aligning our lives with His commands and principles (John 14:15).

Living in His Presence Consciously: Practicing an awareness of God’s presence with us throughout the day, not just in designated “spiritual” moments.

Transparent Vulnerability: Being real with God about our struggles, fears, joys, and failures, knowing He receives us with grace.

Intimacy is about knowing God, not just knowing about Him. It’s about sharing life with Him, understanding His heart, discerning His will, and finding our deepest satisfaction in Him.

The Fruit of Service Rooted in Intimacy

When our service truly flows from a heart overflowing with intimacy with God, the results are profoundly different:

Divine Empowerment and Anointing: We operate not in our own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit, bringing a supernatural dimension to our efforts.

Lasting Spiritual Fruit: Our service bears fruit that remains – lives are genuinely changed, souls are won, and the kingdom of God is tangibly advanced.

Joy and Deep Fulfillment: Serving becomes a joyful expression of our love for God and others, not a draining obligation. There is a profound satisfaction in co-laboring with Him.

Authenticity and Integrity: Our motives are purified, and we serve with sincerity, humility, and a genuine desire to glorify God.

Spiritual Resilience and Endurance: Anchored in God, we are better able to withstand the challenges, criticisms, and discouragements that often accompany service.

Clearer Divine Guidance: A close relationship with God brings greater sensitivity to His leading, ensuring our efforts are aligned with His purposes and timing.

Accurately Reflecting Christ: Our lives and service become a more faithful reflection of the love, grace, and compassion of Jesus.

A Call to Re-evaluate and Re-prioritize

Beloved, as we consider these truths today, the crucial question echoes from the “Thought to Ponder”: Have your ministry tasks, your work for God, your various Christian activities, taken precedence over your personal, deep, nourishing intimacy with God? Are you more like Martha, “worried and troubled about many things,” or like Mary, having chosen the “good part”?

This isn’t a call to abandon service, but to re-examine its foundation. It’s a call to intentionality. How can you intentionally choose the “good part” daily? It might mean:

• Guarding your time with God fiercely.
• Learning to say “no” to some good things to protect the “best” thing.
• Being honest with God and perhaps a trusted mentor if you recognize the symptoms of burnout or detached service in your life.
• Re-evaluating your schedule and commitments to ensure that communion with God is not just a footnote but a headline.

Always have this at the back of your mind: if you nurture intimacy with God, your service will naturally become more fruitful and impactful. It will cease to be a source of weariness and become a channel of His life-giving power. The wellspring of intimacy will ensure that the river of your service never runs dry.

Let our lives be a testament to the truth that the most potent service springs from the deepest fellowship. May we, like Mary, consistently choose to sit at the Master’s feet, and like David, declare that the “one thing” we desire and seek above all else is to behold His beauty and dwell in His presence. From that sacred space, all else will flow in its proper order and with divine blessing.

THOUGHT TO PONDER: Have your ministry tasks taken precedence over your intimacy with God? How can you intentionally choose the “good part” daily?

PRAYER: Lord, help me to always prioritize intimacy with You over activity. Forgive me for the times I have been like Martha, anxious and distracted by much serving, and neglected the one thing needful. Draw me closer to Your presence daily. Teach me to sit at Your feet and listen. Let my service, in my home, in the church, in my workplace, and in the world, flow naturally, powerfully, and joyfully from our deep and abiding relationship. May I never offer You service that costs me nothing of my personal devotion to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Judges 19:1-20:48, John 3:22-4:3, Psalm 104:24-35, Proverbs 14:22-24.