Sometimes life gets in the way. Things demand our attention. Then it happens.
We get distracted. Our relationship with Jesus gets pushed to the side.
Take heart. In this story of two sisters – Mary and Martha – we observe how easily this can happen. Even in the physical presence of Jesus!
What is Mary doing? She’s sitting at the feet of Jesus. Paying close attention to the Teacher!
Martha? She’s distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.
Martha doesn’t even notice that Jesus is teaching. She even complains to Jesus - 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 only one thing is needed”
We can almost hear Martha’s thoughts. “Only one thing! There is much work to be done before I can serve a proper meal to our guests!”
But Jesus is right. There is only one thing that is really needed. A student must always find a way to pay attention to the Teacher. Nothing more important than this!
Sometimes life gets in the way. Like Martha, we get distracted by necessary things and neglect the most valuable thing.
Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.
Busy-ness. It's a disease that effects most of us, many unknowingly. As Americans, we've got an eppidemic on our hands!
ReplyDeleteWork, family related activities, community related activities, leisure/fun activities, hobbies, even church activities can contribute.
Not just us - the kids, too. All sorts of sports to play and school things to be involved with.
Everyone's running in different directions.
Jesus in Luke reminds Mary that there are priorities. Maybe we would do well to remember the same. That and what Jesus said earlier in the book - the Sabbath was made for man.
How much do we miss to spiritually recharge because Sunday equates to 3 or so hours of congregational meetings and the rest is "How much more stuff can we accomplish."
This is a lesson I need constant reminders about... because I am always too busy, and I don't think that's a good thing.
By the way - I'm headed to a family camp weekend - the whole family is headed out to camp with 4 devotionals on the schedule... and nothing else. Hopefully a good time of relaxing and focusing.
ReplyDeleteI'll be back Tuesday.