Business vs Fruitfulness

We live in a world that praises hustle, full calendars, and constant motion. As a result, it’s easy to believe that being busy means we are being effective, productive, and even faithful. But Scripture gives us a different perspective on how we are to operate.

Through the story of Mary and Martha, Jesus gently teaches that activity is not the same as fruitfulness, and purpose is not proven by how much we do, but by what we choose first.

This message is especially important for women carrying multiple roles . We are wives, mothers, working women, stay-at-home moms, caregivers, and builders who want our lives and work to truly matter. Let’s slow down and look closely.

Luke 10:38–42 ³⁸ Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; ⁴² but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Jesus visited the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Martha was busy serving, preparing, hosting, and working hard to meet every need. Mary sat at Jesus’s feet, listening, receiving, and learning. Frustrated, Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her.

Instead, Jesus replied:

 “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; ⁴² but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Notice how Jesus did not rebuke serving, instead He corrected priority. Does your priorities need correcting? Do you feel frustrated and burned out? If so, are you spending time at the Master's feet? Are you seeking wisdom in how to go about your day? Martha was busy, Mary was positioned, and positioning produces fruit. Can I get an Amen somebody!

Busy looks like motion, but fruitfulness produces growth.

Busy living says:

• Do more

• Hurry up

• Respond to everything

• Say yes to everyone

• Fill every gap

• Stay productive at all costs

Fruitful living says:

• Get in the presence of God

• Seek Him on how to serve

• Work with intention

• Build what multiplies and grows

  
  

Being busy is measured by tasks completed. Fruitfulness is measured by growth produced.

Many women live in constant “Martha Mode” by default, not because they are wrong, but because they are responsible.

You may be:

• Managing a household

• Raising children

• Supporting a marriage

• Working a job

• Building a business

• Serving others daily

  
  

These are good and honorable assignments. But when activity replaces connection, we begin building from pressure instead of purpose.

Jesus gives us the order:

Sit first. Then serve. Abide first. Then produce.

“I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from Me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5

Fruit grows from connection — not constant commotion. Fruitfulness isn't flashy at the beginning.

Roots grow underground:

• Quiet time with God

• Clear priorities

• Focused decisions

• Healthy boundaries

• Simple systems

• Intentional rhythms

• Restored energy

People see the fruit later. God grows the roots first.

Here are some practical ways to shift from business to fruitfulness wherever you are planted:

Start Your Day in “Mary Position” Before Entering “Martha Responsibilities”

Before emails, breakfasts, carpools, meetings, or messages — sit first.

Even 10 intentional minutes with God helps you start your day with clarity instead of reaction.

Ask:

• Who needs me most today?

• What matters most today?

• Where should my energy go?

• What does love require today?

This centers you as:

• A wife before a fixer

• A mother before a manager

• A worker before a producer

• A servant before a scheduler

Position first — then proceed.

Choose 3 Fruitful Priorities Per Day — Not Just Tasks

Not everything important is urgent, and not everything urgent is important.

Choose three meaningful outcomes across your real roles.

For Mothers:

• 20 minutes of undistracted connection with your child

• Teach or reinforce one value or life skill

• Create one moment of joy and laughter

For Wives:

• One intentional act of encouragement

• One distraction-free conversation

• One gesture of respect or support

For Stay-at-Home Moms:

• Establish one rhythm that reduces stress

• Prepare one thing ahead for tomorrow

• Finish one task that blesses the home

For Working Women:

• Complete one high-impact task

• Strengthen one key relationship

• Improve one workflow

Focus creates fruit.

Use the “Fruit Check” Instead of Only a To-Do List

At the end of the day, ask:

What grew today?

Not just what got done — what produced growth?

Did:

• My child feel seen?

• My spouse feel supported?

• My home gain peace?

• My work move forward?

• My systems improve?

• My spirit receive nourishment?

Some fruitful days look small — but carry eternal impact.

Replace Multitasking with Meaningful Presence

Busy splits attention. Fruitfulness gives attention.

Practice:

• Eye contact

• Full listening

• Focused work blocks

• Device-free conversations

• Undistracted family time

Presence multiplies emotional fruit in marriage and motherhood.

Build Simple Rhythms That Support Peace at Home

Fruitful homes are built on rhythms, not constant decision-making.

Examples:

• Weekly prep hour

• Evening reset routine

• Device-free dinner

• Weekly marriage check-in

• Family prayer or reflection time

Systems are not rigid — they reduce stress and provide peace.

Say No Without Guilt — Protect Your Assignment

You cannot be fruitful if you are overcommitted everywhere.

It is okay to say:

• Not this season

• Not right now

• Not mine to carry

• Not without support

Every yes should protect your primary roles — not drain them.

Schedule Rest as a Fruit Strategy — Not a Reward

Rest is not earned by exhaustion. Rest is required for fruit.

Especially for wives and mothers:

• Rest protects your tone

• Rest protects your patience

• Rest protects your clarity

• Rest protects your joy

A rested woman produces sweeter fruit.

In conclusion, Martha wasn’t wrong for serving, she was distracted from what mattered most. Mary wasn’t lazy, she took seized the opportunity to sit in the presence of the Messiah. The goal is not to stop working, but to work from the right place. Sit first, then serve. Root first, then produce. You can accomplish so much more by sitting in God's presence than you can by running around being busy.

Slow growth. Strong roots. Much fruit. 🌿

It finally happened at the most inconvenient time. A time when my week was packed with endless activities and schedules that I and my family had to attend. What happened you ask? I got sick! Yes, me a mom of all people had finally succumbed to a mere mortal status. Oh the humanity! My kryptonite...The Flu (insert dramatic music). I am a wife and mother after all, this is not supposed to happen to me. Doesn't this pesky virus know what all I have going on this week!? Alas, it didn't care. It villainously took me down for a miserable two days where I was reduced to not being able to do anything.

Ideally, it sounds nice to not have to cook, clean and do other mom things for a day or two, but my mind wouldn't let me rest. Things had to be done my way or the world would stop spinning. I sulked at how my husband did not follow my morning routine. The sin of all sins is the get a tardy pass and walk the walk of shame down the hall to first grade. Who doesn't know this? My children may need therapy after this!

Super Mom. The invisible badge that many of us proudly wear on our chest as if it were a right of mom passage. It stands for busyness, multi-tasking, getting it done, and pushing through in-spite of. We take pride in caring for our families as we should, but at what cost? In the Garden of Eden, Eve had all that she could ever desire, but the serpent convinced her that contentment wasn't enough. He made her believe she wasn't enough, and that she needed to add more to be important.

That deception unfortunately still plagues many of us. We may falsely believe that resting in God's surplus somehow makes us lazy. We need to do more, be more, get more, and etc. Like you, I am well aware of Eve's mistake and the fact that I am enough in Christ. However, I tend to forget the facts when I am deep in the trenches of my life's reality. My family has constant needs, and as the backbone of this family, I jump in for the rescue every time. I hardly give a second thought to my need to be rescued from time to time.

What kind of mother needs a break? A lazy one according to unspoken societal rules. In the moments of extreme pressure to cave in to societal rules, I challenge you to remember who the actual Ruler of your life is. We are in this world, but we are not of this world.

Take off your cape mom, the real hero already came. He not only saved us, but He made us whole. True God given rest is a blessing, not a curse. Don't wait until your body physically can't go on, to take some time for yourself. Rest does not always mean isolation either. It may look like not going anywhere for the day, disconnecting from electronics and playing a board game with the family, a date night with your spouse, a girls day, or whatever God places in your heart. Take care of yourself, and recognize when it's time to rejuvenate in order to be the best version of you!

If this message encouraged you, then I would like to invite you to visit my YouTube channel for more inspiration. Click here to watch and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@CherissePlair