LUKE 10:38-42 – Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered 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.”
THEME OF THE DAY: THE POWER OF DISTRACTIONS. I am sure all of us have heard a sermon or two from today’s familiar account of Jesus, Martha and Mary. Maybe even read a book or two on the warning of being a Martha. Most often the sermon, teaching, or reading challenges us to not let busyness keep us from “being a Mary” and sitting at the feet of the Lord Jesus. Those are good sermons and books. Busyness is a great danger in the spiritual life. It will drain us of strength, reduce our walks with the Lord Jesus to mere formality, and will leave us spiritually, emotionally, and physically exhausted. But there is something else besides busyness, though connected, to learn from this text. It is another danger to our spiritual health and quite powerful. It is so powerful because it is so easy to allow in our lives. Let me illustrate.
How many times have we planned quality time – maybe early in the morning if we are those type of risers or late at night if we are night owls – to seek the Lord in prayer and the Word. We scheduled it, looked forward to it, and anticipated a still season of cultivating our relationship with Him. And the time arrived. With Bible, maybe a journal in hand, we settle into our “sanctuary” and open in prayer, open our Bible and then suddenly a “wham” occurs. Our phone makes a noise. A text comes or email. Maybe even a call. Or another “wham” enters our thinking. We just remembered something we need to do that won’t take a second or two so we get up and go do it. But maybe we are near our computer and here we go again – another “wham” as we take a quick peek at our Facebook or Instagram feeds, maybe Twitter or the weather. And there are other “whams” which will seek to distract us from our time with the Lord. By the way, here is my definition of “wham” when it comes to our quiet times of seeking the Lord – “Anything good that draws us away or distracts us from what is currently best – seeking the Lord.”
Three things will keep us from the necessary disciplines of time in God’s Word and prayer to cultivate our relationship with Him; sin, busyness, and distractions. Though all are distinct in and of themselves, all of them are defeated by the simple word “No” that the Holy Spirit will turn into self-discipline if we ask and rely upon Him to do so. And as He does, we will grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus guarding against those things in life, even good things, that keep us from growing in Him.
PRAYER: “Father, teach me the necessary resolve to say ‘no’ to good distractions so I can seek You.”
QUOTE: “Watch out for good distractions as they do as much damage in your spiritual life as sinful ones.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim