I’m thinking about distractions.
What brought it to the forefront for me was the Scripture reading from Luke 10, specifically verses 38-42. It is the story of Martha welcoming Jesus into her home and like any good hostess, she prepared the food. But she received no help from her sister, Mary. On the contrary, Mary sat listening at the feet of Jesus as He taught. Martha, upset that all the work was settling on her shoulders, complained to Jesus. Her words: “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” Jesus did not sympathize with her and tell Mary to get with the program. Instead He said, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” [Scripture is from the NLT]
I’m afraid that way too often Jesus’ words to Martha can be said to me. Way. to. often. I’m ashamed to admit that I am too easily distracted from what is important. The tyranny of the urgent tends to rule my heart instead of taking care of what is important. Granted, sometimes there is a fine line between the important and the urgent, but wisdom and discernment is necessary. I need to be more like Mary and less like Martha. I need to lay aside the unimportant (urgent) for that which really matters. I had a chance to practice that a little over the weekend. I love watching our young people “play” basketball. They are mostly just learning so it is funny watching them run more than dribble. Anyway, Jo and I have tried to support the kids in their endeavors-basketball, baseball, soccer, even football. But it was Saturday, a serious study day for me. It used to be that I would do nothing on Saturday except study. Then I learned the urgent versus the important and figured it was much more important for me to support the young people than hole up in an office all day.
It was a good decision, one that I believe will have eternal ramifications.
Good for you, Bill! Sometimes, being Mary is a much better choice than being Martha. I love how you gave such a memorable example here.
Blessings!
Thanks Martha. I’m hoping we can all learn how to be more of a Mary.
I often ask myself, why do I get so distracted from pursuing the Lord with all my heart, when it is truly what I really want to do. Distractions come in so many different ways, and its easy to juggle to many things, but God, should be what I have complete wholehearted devotion, and supreme love for. Father help me, to serve You for Your glory, and to prioritize You above all else. Father, help me to always ask myself, whose kingdom and I am truly working for, realign my heart to Yours alone.
You are not alone in that struggle Gail. I too wonder why and ask it out loud from time to time. I’m sure the enemy has something to do with that.
Speaking of distraction… Dominick and I had that conversation this morning and various other mornings. The enemy is the master of distraction and sometimes our own plans and expectations get in the way.
Not to push off our responsibility, but allowing God to direct our paths and committing ourselves to His work will pay far greater dividends than anything we can plan on our own.
Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.”
Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
I definitely agree that the enemy has an agenda for us and I think distraction is a big part of that. Thanks for the Scriptures also Ryan. They clarify a lot.