Where There’s Blayze

Becoming a Christian is, in many ways, like having a light turned on in a dark room. Suddenly, so much of life makes sense. But the longer you walk with Christ, the more you realise just how deeply our thinking has been shaped by the world around us, often in ways we didn’t even notice.

One of the great challenges of Christian discipleship is unlearning the lies of the world and replacing them with the truth of the gospel. That process takes time, humility, and the constant renewing of our minds through Scripture (Romans 12:2). And even when we know the truth, living as though it’s true is another matter entirely.

The Lie of Performance

One of the most deeply ingrained lies many of us believe is this: You get what you work for. That your worth is tied to your performance. That success is earned, and love, well, maybe even that is earned too.

That idea works just fine in the world of sports, school, or the workplace. In fact, it’s celebrated. Think of the Rocky films: victory comes through training harder, wanting it more, suffering longer. Think of the TV series Suits, where the lead character proclaims, “I never lose, because I work harder than you.” Even in contemporary Christian-influenced music, you’ll hear lyrics like “I shall not want unless I grind.”

And while a strong work ethic can be a gift (and one I’m grateful for, thanks in part to my father’s example), the danger comes when we carry that mindset into our faith.

Because the gospel says something entirely different: You are not saved by your work, you are saved by Christ’s.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

(Ephesians 2:8–9)

My Own Struggle with Self-Reliance

Even after becoming a Christian, I’ve found myself living as though my effort is what matters most. In ministry, I’ve sometimes believed that the growth or health of the church depends on me. I’ve pushed through illness, resisted rest, and convinced myself that if I don’t do it, no one will.

That’s not humility—it’s pride.

Yes, Scripture says “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). But those works flow from faith, not toward salvation. Our actions are the fruit of what Christ has done, not the root of our standing before God.

We do not minister because Jesus needs us, we minister because Jesus invites us.

Mary and Martha: Choosing the Good Portion

Nowhere is this tension more clearly seen than in Luke 10:38–42—the story of Mary and Martha.

Jesus enters a village and is welcomed into the home of Martha, who immediately gets to work preparing for Him. Her sister Mary, however, sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to His teaching.

Martha becomes frustrated, understandably so. She’s serving the Messiah. She’s working hard. She’s trying to do something good.

But Jesus gently corrects her:

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

(Luke 10:41–42)

The issue here is not that Martha was working, it’s that she was distracted. The Greek word used implies she was being pulled away, torn in multiple directions. Her service, though well-intentioned, became a barrier to the very presence of the One she was trying to honour.

Mary, on the other hand, chose the “good portion”, to sit, to listen, to receive. She wasn’t passive. She was present. She recognised that the greatest gift wasn’t what she could do for Jesus, but who Jesus was to her.

Jesus Doesn’t Want Your Impressive Life—He Wants You

This is the heart of the gospel.

Jesus is not waiting for you to perform. He’s not impressed by your grind. He’s not moved by how spiritually productive you seem. He’s calling you to Himself.

And what He offers, the “good portion”, will never be taken away.

Your job might change. Your health might fade. Your ministry may end. But the Word of God, the presence of Christ, and the love He lavishes on you will remain.

“Apart from Me, you can do nothing.”

(John 15:5)

A Personal Repentance

I want to confess that there have been many times I’ve served from self-reliance rather than surrender. Times when I’ve believed, whether I knew it or not, that my churches needed me more than they needed Jesus.

That is a lie.

And I repent of it.

The truth is: I need Jesus. You need Jesus. And He is enough for all of us.

A Church that Sits at His Feet

Let’s seek to be a church that chooses the good portion.

Lets be a people marked not just by activity, but by adoration.

Not just by service, but by stillness.

Not just by plans, but by presence.

There is work to be done, yes. But before we do, we must be—be with Jesus, be changed by His Word, and be confident in His love.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”

(Psalm 34:8)

So today, may you stop striving.

May you sit down.

And may you receive the good portion.

It will never be taken from you.