You are Not a Human Doing - Part 2
RESTORATION AND REST
God Did Not Create You to Be a Human Doing, but a Human Being
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘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 10:38-42
Human Doing vs. Human Being
Kathy Hawkins often says, “God did not create you to be a human doing, but a human being.” This truth shines brightly in the story of Mary and Martha.
Martha is busy — overwhelmed, distracted, pulled in a dozen directions. She’s trying to serve Jesus, but her service has become tangled with worry. Her heart is racing faster than her hands and she has no time to allow herself to marvel at the presence of God, right there with her in her home.
Mary, on the other hand, is still. Present. Listening. She is not driven by tasks but drawn to Jesus Himself. She can't leave his side and she chooses being over doing and presence over performance.
Jesus gently corrects Martha, not because her work is wrong, but because her worry is. He reminds her that only one thing is truly needed: to be with Him.
Modern Martha Moments
We live in a world that rewards busyness. Productivity is praised. Hustle is celebrated. Rest often feels irresponsible. And so we become “human doings” without realizing it:
You sit down to pray, but your mind races through your to‑do list.
You open your Bible, but notifications pull you away.
You want to rest, but guilt whispers that you should be accomplishing more.
You long for peace, but your schedule is packed with commitments you didn’t choose.
You try to be present with God, but you feel like you’re always behind.
These are modern Martha moments. The moments when distraction replaces devotion, and activity replaces intimacy. But Jesus still speaks the same gentle words: “You are worried and upset about many thing but only one thing is needed.”
Choosing What Is Better
Mary wasn’t lazy. She was intentional. She understood that being with Jesus is the source of strength for everything else.
Rest is not weakness. Rest is not avoidance. Rest is not wasted time.
Rest is surrender. Rest is worship. Rest is choosing what is better.
When we slow down long enough to sit at Jesus’ feet, we remember who we are: beloved children, not spiritual employees. We remember that God desires relationship, not performance. And we remember that peace grows when we stop striving and start abiding.
Practical Ways to Rest in the Presence of Jesus
Here are simple, life‑giving practices to help you become a “human being” again:
Start your day with stillness: Before checking your phone, pause. Breathe. Whisper, “Good morning Father, I’m right here with you.”
Create a small daily “Mary moment”: Five minutes of Scripture. A quiet walk. A worship song. A journal entry. Choose one simple way to 'sit at His feet.'
Let go of unnecessary busyness: Ask: “Is this task God assigned or self‑imposed?” Release what doesn’t align with His peace. Remember, your yes is 'Sacred,' as Author Susy Larson often says.
Practice Sabbath rhythms: Rest one day a week. Not as a rule, but as a gift. Weave restful moments into every day. Take a moment to slow down, breathe and say, "Thank you Jesus."
Invite Jesus into your tasks: Turn chores, work, and responsibilities into conversations with Him. I've often wondered what would have happened if Martha invited Jesus to help her prepare the meal.
Remember that rest is trust: When you stop working, you declare: “My best work today is always good enough. God is in control, not me.”
A Short Prayer for Rest
Lord Jesus, teach me to sit at Your feet. Quiet my busy thoughts and calm my anxious heart. Help me choose Your presence over my pace, Your voice over my tasks, and Your peace over my pressure. Make me a human being rooted in You, resting in You, and restored by You. Amen.