Hey friend,

Can I tell you about the season when I almost burned out my business—and my faith?

I was in the thick of building my online coaching practice. Working long hours from home. Always thinking about the next client, the next launch, the next strategy.

My business was growing. But something else was shrinking: my spiritual life.

I'd roll out of bed and go straight to my laptop instead of spending time with God. I'd skip my online church services because I "had too much to do." Prayer became quick, desperate pleas when I was overwhelmed.

I told myself I was serving God through my business. That I didn't need dedicated spiritual time because I was doing Kingdom work.

But deep down, I knew: I was running on empty. My soul was parched. And the business I was sacrificing everything for was starting to suffer because I'd disconnected it from the Source.

One Sunday, I finally tuned in to my online church after weeks of skipping. The sermon was on Martha and Mary. And when the pastor read Jesus' words—"Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things"—I felt like He was speaking directly to me.

I was Martha. Distracted by all the preparations. So focused on serving that I'd forgotten to sit at His feet and listen.

That day changed how I approach my business and my faith.

Maybe you're there right now. Running hard, working long hours from your home office, feeling like you can never do enough. Your soul is crying out for something deeper.

You're torn between being productive and being present. Between doing and being. Between Martha and Mary.

Here's what I want you to know: You don't have to choose. But you do have to prioritize.

Let me show you what I mean.

The Biblical Foundation: Martha and Mary

Let's look at the full story from Luke 10:38-42:

"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.'"

Here's the context: Jesus has come to their home. Martha is hosting—preparing food, making sure everything is perfect. She's serving. She's working. She's doing important things.

Mary, meanwhile, has sat down at Jesus' feet to listen to Him teach. In that culture, this was unusual. Women typically didn't sit at a rabbi's feet as disciples. Mary was breaking cultural norms to prioritize learning from Jesus.

Martha gets frustrated. She's doing all the work while Mary is just... sitting there. So she complains to Jesus, expecting Him to tell Mary to get up and help.

But Jesus' response is tender and convicting: "Martha, Martha"—He says her name twice, showing His care for her—"you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better."

Notice what Jesus doesn't say. He doesn't say Martha's work is bad or unimportant. He doesn't condemn her for serving. Hospitality and service matter.

But He does say she's "worried and upset" and "distracted." Her service has become anxious busyness. She's so focused on the preparations that she's missing the Person right in front of her.

Mary, on the other hand, has chosen "what is better"—sitting at Jesus' feet, listening, being present, soaking in His teaching.

For us as Christian entrepreneurs, this story isn't about choosing between work and faith. It's about what we prioritize and how we work.

We need both Martha and Mary. We need productive action AND spiritual devotion. But when we let the work become anxious distraction, when we're so busy preparing that we miss Jesus' presence—that's when we need to hear His gentle correction: "You are worried about many things. Only one thing is needed."

When Work Becomes Distraction

Let me show you what this looks like by comparing two entrepreneurs.

Both are Christian solopreneurs running online businesses. Both hardworking. But they approach work and faith very differently.

The first woman is all Martha. Wakes up and immediately checks email. Works long hours. Prays occasionally—rushed crisis pleas. Skips worship time because she's "behind." Tells herself her work IS her ministry.

Result? She's anxious all the time. Worried about money, clients, the next launch. Makes decisions from fear instead of peace. Running on empty. When challenges come, she has no spiritual foundation to draw from.

Ten years later: successful business, but spiritually dry. Lost her joy.

The second woman has learned to integrate both Martha and Mary.

She starts her day with 20 minutes of devotional time before opening her laptop. Works hard and serves excellently. Takes Sabbath seriously—no work on Sundays. Engages consistently with worship and spiritual community. Prays throughout her workday.

When she feels anxious, she pauses: "Am I worried about many things? Or focused on the one thing needed?"

Result? She faces challenges from a place of peace. Makes better decisions because she's learned to hear God's voice. Her business thrives because of her spiritual practices, not in spite of them.

Ten years later: thriving business AND deep relationship with God.

The difference? One tried to build in her own strength. The other built from a foundation of presence with God.

Five Principles for Balancing Work and Faith

Let me give you five biblical principles that will transform how you balance work and faith in your entrepreneurial journey.

1. Recognize the Importance of Both Work and Worship

Here's what we often miss about the Martha and Mary story: Both women were serving Jesus. Martha through hospitality, Mary through devotion. Both mattered.

Jesus wasn't saying, "Stop working and just sit around being spiritual." He was saying, "Don't let your work become anxious distraction from My presence."

As Christian entrepreneurs, we need both. We need to work hard, serve excellently, meet deadlines, build systems. AND we need to spend time in God's presence, pray, worship, study Scripture.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."

There's a time to work and a time to worship. A time for productivity and a time for presence. The key is not letting one consume the other.

Practically, this looks like. Honoring both the work God has given you and the relationship He invites you into. Not feeling guilty when you're working hard or when you're resting in His presence.

So ask yourself: Am I honoring both work and worship? Or have I let one squeeze out the other?

2. Avoid Being "Distracted by All the Preparations"

Martha wasn't wrong to prepare. She was wrong to be "distracted" by the reparations—anxious, worried, upset.

The work itself wasn't the problem. Her anxious approach to it was.

As entrepreneurs, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle. There's always more to do. Another email to answer. Another marketing strategy to try. Another thing on the to-do list.

But when that hustle becomes anxious distraction—when we're worried and upset about many things—we've lost our center.

Matthew 6:33 says: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Your relationship with God should remain central. Not just in theory, but in practice. In your schedule. In your priorities. In what you give your best energy to.

Practically, this looks like: Noticing when you're feeling anxious. Pausing to ask: "What am I worried about that I need to surrender to God?" Re-centering on Him instead of spiraling in anxiety.

So ask yourself: Am I distracted by all the preparations? What's making me anxious that I need to surrender?

3. Choose "What Is Better"

Jesus said Mary chose "what is better." Not what is easier. Not what is more productive. What is BETTER.

Sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to His teaching, being in His presence—that is better than all the anxious activity in the world.

This doesn't mean we stop working. It means we recognize that spiritual intimacy with God is the better foundation from which to work.

Psalm 27:4 says: "One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."

One thing. The better thing. Dwelling in God's presence.

When we prioritize this, everything else falls into place. Our work improves because we're drawing from the right source. Our decisions get clearer because we've been listening to God's voice. Our anxiety decreases because we're resting in His presence.

Practically, this looks like: Protecting time with God even when you're busy. Choosing devotional time over diving into work. Treating time with God as the most important appointment of your day.

So ask yourself: What is the "better thing" I need to choose today?

4. Understand That Faith Fuels Work

Here's the paradox: Time spent in God's presence isn't a distraction from your business. It's the source of your strength and wisdom for it.

When you sit at Jesus' feet, you're not wasting time that could be spent working. You're filling up so you can work from abundance instead of depletion.

Isaiah 40:31 says: "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Your business runs better when you're operating from a place of spiritual renewal. You make better decisions. You have more clarity. You handle challenges with more grace.

Time with God isn't an interruption to your work. It's the foundation of sustainable, God-honoring work.

Practically, this looks like: Starting your workday with God instead of your inbox. Taking prayer breaks when overwhelmed. Viewing spiritual practices as fuel for your work, not something separate.

So ask yourself: Am I trying to fuel my work in my own strength? Or drawing from God's strength?

5. Practice Presence

Whether you're working or worshiping, be fully present.

When Martha was serving, she wasn't fully present. She was distracted, anxious about many things, resentful of Mary.

When Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet, she was fully present. Attentive. Listening. Absorbing.

As entrepreneurs, we're often mentally in ten places at once. Working on a project while worrying about finances. In a client call while thinking about the next thing on our to-do list. Praying while mentally planning our day.

But God invites us to presence. To being fully where we are.

Colossians 3:23 says: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."

Whatever you do. Whether it's working on your business or spending time in prayer, be all there. Fully present. Fully engaged.

Practically, this looks like: When you're working, focus on the work. When you're praying, focus on prayer. Single-tasking instead of multi-tasking. Being where you are.

So ask yourself: Am I fully present right now? Or mentally scattered across many things?

Your Practical Framework for Balancing Work and Faith

Let's make this actionable. Here are five practical steps to integrate both Martha and Mary into your entrepreneurial life.

Step 1: Start Your Workday with Devotional Time

Even 15-20 minutes can set a positive tone for your day. Before you check email, before you look at your to-do list, sit at Jesus' feet. Read Scripture. Pray. Listen. This isn't wasted time—it's the foundation that makes the rest of your day more fruitful.

Step 2: Integrate Prayer into Your Business Routine

Don't separate your work life from your prayer life. Pray over decisions. Pray for your clients by name. Ask God for wisdom when you're stuck. Invite Him into your business throughout the day, not just in the morning.

Step 3: Create a Faith-Centered Mission Statement

Write a mission statement for your business that explicitly includes your faith. How are you serving God through this work? How does your business reflect Kingdom values? Let this guide your decisions and keep you grounded in purpose.

Step 4: Set Boundaries to Protect Your Spiritual Life

This might mean not working on Sundays. Setting aside evenings for family and spiritual community. Protecting time for worship—however that looks for you. Your relationship with God should be non-negotiable, and your schedule should reflect that.

Step 5: Find a Christian Accountability Partner

Find someone who can help you stay true to both your business goals and your spiritual commitments. Someone who will ask you not just "How's business?" but "How's your walk with God? Are you taking Sabbath? Are you spending time in His presence?"

The Testimony of a Balanced Life

Here's what I've learned about balancing work and faith, friend:

When you try to build a business in your own strength, disconnected from God's presence, you might succeed financially—but you'll be spiritually dry and exhausted.

But when you prioritize sitting at Jesus' feet, when you let your relationship with Him fuel your work, you experience something the world can't explain: sustainable productivity, peace in the midst of challenges, and joy in the journey.

You don't have to choose between being Martha and being Mary. You need both. Productive action AND spiritual devotion. Hard work AND deep rest in God's presence.

The key is knowing which one you need more of right now, and being willing to adjust.

Through She Steps Forward Coaching, I help Christian women entrepreneurs build thriving businesses without sacrificing their spiritual lives—integrating both Martha and Mary into sustainable success.

Book your discovery call: https://meetcoachelaine.com

Your Invitation to Sit at His Feet​

So friend, here's my question:

In your entrepreneurial journey, do you tend to be more like Martha (action-oriented) or Mary (contemplation-oriented)?

Maybe you're all Martha—constantly doing, never stopping, running yourself ragged.

Or maybe you struggle with the opposite—lots of spiritual activity but difficulty taking action.

Most of us lean one way. And Jesus doesn't condemn you. But He does invite you to something better.

If you're all Martha: You don't have to earn God's love through productivity. He invites you to stop, to sit at His feet. The work will still be there. But you'll do it from rest instead of anxiety.

If you struggle with action: God has given you work to do. Sitting at His feet should fuel you to serve excellently. Devotion and productivity aren't opposites—they're partners.

The balance looks like: Starting your day at Jesus' feet. Then working with excellence from that connection. Taking breaks to re-center when anxious. Honoring Sabbath rest.

Here's what happens:

You work hard but not anxiously. You're productive but not distracted. You serve from a place of rest in God.

What if you started treating time with God as the most important appointment of your day?

As Christian entrepreneurs, our ultimate CEO is Christ. When we keep Him at the center, we find the right balance between Martha (productively serving) and Mary (devotedly listening).

Both matter. But only one can be the foundation.

So sit at His feet. Let Him fill you up. And then—from that place—go serve with excellence.

Productive AND present. Working hard AND resting well. Serving excellently AND sitting at His feet.

Both/and.

And it's available to you—starting right now.