We see the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 v 38-42.
Martha invites Jesus and His disciples into her home, and both sisters were followers of Jesus as was their brother Lazarus. Mary sits at the feet of Jesus and listens to all He is saying and learns from Him while her sister Martha is in the kitchen and fussing around with bits and bobs. Mary complains to Jesus that her sister is not helping her in the kitchen and is just sat at His feet. She asks Jesus to tell her sister to come help her. Jesus replied “Martha, Martha, you are so anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her”.
Martha represents the busy, active, rushing side of us. The one who is too busy doing rather than sitting and worshipping.
Mary is the quiet, receptive side of us. The side that can see that we need time to just “be” with the Lord.
Hospitality or even service in the Church is less important than being still and knowing God. We need to be ready to do anything for Him and this does include busyness for Him, but not when it takes over and we lose the times we spend with Him.
So which do we fall into more? Martha or Mary?
The Minstrel's Wife 
Apr 13, 2014 @ 16:11:54
I tend to fall more into the Martha side of life. Busy. Busy. Busy. I know these moments pass all too soon in life and want to live them out & enjoy them more. But I also know that when I force myself to sit and just enjoy His presence that I am blessed beyond words.
Apr 14, 2014 @ 00:42:15
Both! 🙂 Or at least I try, it’s not always an easy balance.
Apr 14, 2014 @ 20:46:34
Our daily time together is the best part of my day
Apr 17, 2014 @ 21:01:32
Definitely a Martha. Sitting still just seems so much less…productive.
Apr 17, 2014 @ 22:27:20
it does. my husband has to keep reminding me that sitting and resting in Him is doing something, I am resting and reading the Word, and not running all over doing stuff.
Apr 23, 2014 @ 20:49:54
How so true. Nothing is more important in a believer’s life than quality time spent in the Lord’s presence.