Serving Isn’t the Mission!

You’re not called to chase approval—you’re called to sit at the feet of Jesus.

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God’s Promise for Today

Luke 10:42 (ESV) – “But one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

There was a time I thought being busy for God was the goal. I filled my days with work, ministry, tasks—even the “good” stuff. But somewhere in that hustle, I missed the point. I wasn’t really with Jesus. I was doing things for Him, but not with Him.

That realization hit me hard. You ever felt that, brother? Like you’re doing the right things, but your heart is dry? Your mind is foggy? That’s not just exhaustion. That’s what happens when we forget the better portion.

In Luke 10, we see two women—Mary and Martha. Martha’s serving. She’s busy. She’s distracted. Mary’s sitting with Jesus. She’s listening. She’s still. And Jesus says she’s chosen the better portion.

That stung when I first read it like a man—not like a Bible student, not like a teacher—but like a husband, father, and shepherd of my home. Because if I’m honest, I’ve been Martha far more than I’ve been Mary. Not in gender, but in mindset. I’ve been distracted—doing good things—but missing the best thing. Missing Him.

Here’s the problem: The world rewards men who do more. Who move fast. Who say yes to everything and make it all happen. But God calls men to something far more difficult: stillness. Intimacy. Purity. Spiritual clarity. That doesn’t come from running harder—it comes from slowing down and sitting at His feet.

Oswald Chambers nailed it in his March 26 reflection. He said purity isn’t innocence—it’s harmony with God. That hit me. Purity doesn’t just mean keeping sin out; it means staying in rhythm with Jesus. And here’s the truth we need to hear: you can be full of good intentions and still off-course if you’re not protecting your spiritual vision.

And that vision gets blurry fast. Not just because of sin, but because of busyness, distractions, and trying to please everyone around you. As Chambers said, our outer lives get stained when we constantly bump up against other people’s views, opinions, and expectations. And if we don’t stop and deal with those stains, they start creeping in.

I’ve lived it. I’ve said yes to things I should have said no to. I’ve let noise drown out truth. I’ve looked like I was winning—doing ministry, raising kids, staying strong—when deep down I was drying up inside. Because I was doing it for the applause of men, not the approval of God. That’s not leadership. That’s pride.

Brothers, let me shoot straight: being a man of God means having the guts to stop pleasing everyone else and start pleasing the One who matters. It means saying no to things that “look good” so you can say yes to the one thing that is good—being with Jesus.

We’ve got to stop treating time with Jesus like an optional add-on. It’s not something we squeeze into our morning or fit in when we can. It’s the foundation of everything. That stillness isn’t weakness. It’s where strength is built. That quiet time in the Word—that’s where discernment is sharpened. That moment of prayer before bed—that’s where peace is restored.

Men, we’re not just trying to avoid sin—we’re trying to guard our vision. We can’t shepherd our wives, our kids, or our homes if we can’t see straight. If we’re blurred by busyness, by culture, by social media, by comparison, we’ll start chasing shadows. We’ll think we’re walking with God when we’re just performing for people.

And here’s what Jesus is saying today: come sit down. Lay it all down and just be with Me.

Let that sink in. You don’t need to prove anything. You don’t need to rush around trying to get it all right. You need to choose the better portion. Because that—being with Him—is what won’t be taken away.

Today, I’m choosing that portion again. Not perfectly. Not loudly. But intentionally. I’m fixing the outer parts of my life that have been tainted—because I’ve seen how fast those stains reach the heart. I want purity. I want vision. I want Jesus more than I want applause.

And I’m not the only one. You do too. That’s why you’re reading this.

So, here’s the challenge, man to man: Drop the act. Stop running. Get quiet. Sit with Jesus. Make it a habit—not a hope. Your family doesn’t need a busy man. They need a shepherd with vision. A leader with peace. A father with fire. And that only comes from time at His feet.

This isn’t weakness. This is war. You fight for your heart by slowing down. You fight for your family by being still. You fight for your legacy by letting Jesus be the One thing.

Choose the better portion. Sit with Him today.

Today’s “Shepherding in Action” Value

Stillness gives a man spiritual clarity and strength to lead his family with peace and purpose.

Three Practical Reflection Questions

1. What “good things” in your life have become distractions from the better portion of simply being with Jesus?
2. Where have you allowed the world’s noise to blur your spiritual vision, and how can you push it back today?
3. What specific time will you set aside this week to sit at Jesus’ feet—unrushed, undistracted, and fully present?

Bible References (ESV)

• Luke 10:42 – “But one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
• Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Short Prayer

Lord, help me slow down and choose the better portion. Clean my heart, sharpen my vision, and make me a man who sits with You before I lead anyone else.

These weekday reflections flow from my time in God’s Word. I invite you to join me and other Men of the Shepherd in building Christ-centered homes—leading, discipling, and serving like Jesus.

If these reflections encourage you, please like, share, and pass them on so more men can grow in their calling.

To follow along with the weekday readings, check out our Weekday Reflections Playlist on YouTube or subscribe to the YouTube channel here.

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