“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
“But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, ‘Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.’
“And Jesus answered and said unto her, ‘Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:38-42).
A standard outdoor running track has eight lanes, each exactly 1.22 meters wide. Small athletic facilities only have six lanes, while larger collegiate facilities that host national competitions build tracks nine lanes wide. In the track and field world, lane assignments tremendously affect how athletes approach their races. If a runner is not assigned one of the more desirable middle lanes, but rather an inside or outside lane, her confidence can become unsettled when she approaches the starting blocks. Most athletes prefer the balance, visibility, and a psychological edge of starting in the middle, while the surrounding lanes create unique challenges for anyone assigned to them.
This strategic reality in track and field gives us a fresh lens to evaluate the focus of Mary and Martha. In the biblical account of Luke 10:38-42 Mary, unlike Martha, prioritized sitting at Jesus’ feet and focusing on his teaching. Like an athlete who chooses the advantageous middle lane, she positioned herself in the best place to "see" and absorb all things that could contribute to her spiritual success; she was pursuing the “life and godliness” of 2 Peter 1:3. Because she knew her spiritual pace, Mary’s wise positioning allowed her to stay attuned to the priority of the moment: being present with the Lord.
By contrast, Martha resembled an athlete who intentionally chose to run in the difficult inside or outside lanes and consequently was caught in the strain of the curve or the isolation of distraction. As her focus became consumed by the tasks at hand, Martha allowed the “curve” of her responsibilities to restrict her vision and distract her from the bigger picture: her spiritual nourishment.
During a race, the middle lanes of a track provide the runner optimal balance, rhythm, and awareness of competitors. Similarly, Mary found spiritual balance by choosing to focus on her relationship with Jesus. Martha, the runner on the edge lanes, focused on serving. Though service is a valuable part of the Christian walk, Luke 10 clearly shows how making it the priority disrupted Martha’s rhythm, leaving her spiritually winded and mentally frustrated.
Jesus responded to Martha with an act of attentional care. He perceived her troubled state and gently rebuked her: “Martha, Martha, thou are careful and troubled about many things” (v. 41). Christ’s response did not dismiss her service, but rather invited her to recalibrate her
focus to Him. Track and field coaches often give similar instruction when an athlete is rushing through a curve in a panic, or approaching a jump or performing high hurdles with rushed steps. “Remember your training,” the coach says. “Find your rhythm.” Jesus praised Mary for choosing "that good part" (v. 42)—the middle lane of spiritual awareness and focus on her Savior’s presence.
In life, we often find ourselves in different "lanes" of responsibility, expectation, or ambition. Our challenge is to maintain spiritual visibility, psychological stability, and balanced rhythm. To accomplish this, we should learn the lesson the track athlete learns. Our "lane preference” should prioritize seeing Jesus clearly and running our race with purpose and peace. The Bible sometimes encourages us to approach our spiritual journey with patience, focus, and endurance with the analogy of running. For example, Hebrews 12:1-2 exhorts, “Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Similarly, my life verses, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, remind us of the end goal of our pursuit. "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate [disciplined] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible."
As you navigate your daily responsibilities, ask yourself: Am I running in a lane that allows me to see what matters most? Or am I lost in the curves, straining to keep my purpose as my focus? If your focus is lost, Christ offers the solution: turn your eyes upon Him. As you gaze on Christ’s glorious countenance, all the curves and hurdles of your spiritual race will no longer unsettle your confidence but deepen your strength and enhance your praise.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus:
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Turn your eyes to the hillside
Where justice and mercy embraced.
There the Son of God gave His life for us
And our measureless debt was erased.
Turn your eyes to the morning
And see Christ the Lion awake.
What a glorious dawn, fear of death is gone;
For we carry His life in our veins!
Turn your eyes to the heavens:
Our King will return for His own.
Every knee will bow, every tongue will shout,
"All glory to Jesus alone!”
The above article was written by Ruth Ann Gipson, who is a faithful member of NorthStone Baptist Church. To offer her your feedback, comment below or email us at strengthforlife461@gmail.com.
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