When Mercury Runs Ahead: Lessons from Martha and a Too-Busy Soul

Mercury is the fastest planet in our solar system. It races around the sun in just 88 days, moving at nearly 30 miles per second. It never slows. It never rests. From a distance, its speed looks impressive. But up close, Mercury is a harsh place—scorched on one side, frozen on the other, with no atmosphere to hold warmth or life.

In many churches, there is a “Mercury” member. Always moving. Always serving. Always busy. They arrive early, leave late, volunteer often, and rarely sit still. Their calendar is full, their hands are active, and their heart is sincere. Like Mercury, their motion is constant. And like Mercury, the pace can quietly strip away warmth and depth.

The Bible gives us a familiar picture of this in Martha.

In Luke 10, Jesus visits the home of Martha and her sister Mary. Martha immediately goes to work—preparing food, arranging the house, making sure everything is right. Mary, however, sits at Jesus’ feet and listens. Martha becomes frustrated and asks Jesus to intervene. “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?” (Luke 10:40).

Jesus’ reply is gentle but piercing: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better.”

Martha was not doing anything sinful. Hospitality mattered. Service mattered. But busyness had crowded out stillness. Work had displaced worship. Like Mercury, she was moving fast—but missing the warmth of presence.

Too often, church life rewards speed. We praise those who never say no. We admire the ones who carry multiple roles. We equate motion with maturity. Yet a soul can be active and still be starved. A heart can be faithful and still be weary. You can orbit Christ and never pause long enough to hear Him.

Mercury teaches us that speed without atmosphere leads to extremes. There is no buffer, no rest, no balance. Likewise, a believer who never slows down lives in constant spiritual exposure. Every need feels urgent. Every request feels mandatory. The inner life grows thin.

Jesus does not rebuke Martha for serving. He calls her back to center. He invites her to exchange anxiety for attention. He reminds her that relationship comes before responsibility.

The church does not need fewer Marthas. It needs Marthas who also become Marys.

Service is beautiful. But it must flow from sitting at His feet. Activity must be fueled by intimacy. Otherwise, even holy work becomes hollow.

Slow down. Step out of orbit for a moment. Sit. Listen. Let warmth return.

Even Mercury needs a pause. So do we.