There's Something About Mary
Escaping the Trap of Toxic Productivity
“This food isn’t going to prepare itself,” Martha muttered in the kitchen. She clanged pans a little louder than necessary as a group of people gathered around Jesus in the next room.
Peeking around the corner, she spotted her sister, Mary, sitting — uselessly, in Martha’s opinion — at the feet of Jesus.
Must be nice, she thought.
With every new guest that squeezed through the doorway, her frustration multiplied. Another mouth to feed. More water to draw. Less space for her — if she ever managed to sit down herself.
And why wasn’t Jesus saying anything?
As the water began to boil over the fire, so did Martha’s thoughts. Maybe Jesus would pause mid-teaching and say, “Mary, why don’t you help your sister?” Maybe He’d notice Martha’s service and say, “Thank you. I see what you’re doing.” After all, she was doing all this for Him.
But when she couldn’t hold it in any longer, Martha interrupted:
“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“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 10:38-41)
Not exactly the response she was hoping for.
I have compassion for Martha. She was serving Jesus. She probably longed to be seen and appreciated. Maybe she feared what people would think if everything wasn’t perfect. Maybe her identity had always been wrapped up in being the responsible one.
But Jesus wasn’t after her performance. He was after her heart.
And Mary? Mary displayed something powerful too — boundaries. She could probably hear Martha banging around in the kitchen. She could probably feel the tension rising. But she stayed put. She prioritized presence over productivity.
She knew Jesus wasn’t impressed by hustle.
And neither is He now.
This story gets right to the heart of toxic productivity — the drive to prove our worth by what we do instead of who we are in Christ.
It’s that inner voice that whispers: → If I don’t do it, who will? → I can rest later. → I’ll be enough... when I finish this list.
But Jesus gently calls that voice out:
“You are worried and upset about many things... but only one thing is needed.”
If you’re wondering if toxic productivity has a grip on your heart, ask yourself:
Do I tie my worth to what I accomplish?
Do I secretly hope someone notices how hard I’m working?
Do I get anxious when rest feels unproductive?
Am I driven more by love... or by fear of failure?
The world may applaud hustle, but Jesus invites us to abide. (John 15:4)
The world may say "do more", but Jesus says "come to Me." (Matthew 11:28)
The world may reward perfection, but Jesus delights in presence. (Psalm 46:10 — “Be still and know that I am God.”)
Martha shows up again in Scripture — after her brother Lazarus dies. And again, she’s bold. Honest. Real. Jesus meets her right there in her grief and faith (John 11:21-27).
Because that’s who He is.
He loved Martha — in her service and in her striving. But He also loved her enough to remind her: Being with Me is better than performing for Me.
Your worth was never tied to your work. Your value was never measured by your productivity. You don’t have to earn your seat at His feet. It’s already yours.