Distracted

Scripture

 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.” -Luke 10:41-42

It is possible to get distracted by all the good that we're doing and miss the important moments with God. We can get caught up in all that the day brings that we never get around to the quiet moments with Him that refresh and restore us. For so many of us, our hearts are in the right place. "I've got to help with this project for the office, I think I'm going to volunteer for this organization, I've got to build this business that God's given me." While there is absolutely nothing wrong with any of these things, but if they distract us from doing what is needed to grow spiritually, then we should consider recalibration. Even if what we do on a daily basis is God centered, it is possible to get so distracted with the busyness of ministry that we miss it as well. While serving is good, taking time to spend in the listening to His voice is something that is vital for our spiritual growth. What's the point of doing all the good; volunteering, ministering, and serving, if you never grow? Balance is certainly necessary for what God desires for us. The deception comes in when we don't question if we're being distracted because it's good work that we're doing. 

The key is knowing the difference between distraction and discipleship. We have to allow the Holy Spirit to show us when we're being distracted by good works as opposed to being discipled. In the verses above, Martha was annoyed that she was doing all of the preparation (serving) while her sister was focused on Jesus. Beloved, choose to be present with Jesus rather allow works, albeit good, to distract us from Him completely. I'm not advocating for us to stop what we're doing, but I am encouraging us to recognize when we're distracted by these things. If we're not careful, they too can pull us away from cultivating intimacy with the Lord.

Beloved, we must also focus on receiving spiritual nourishment from Jesus, which is more valuable than serving or volunteering. Mary was not selfish in her decision to sit at the Lord's feet, she was being a disciple. Let's be reminded today to carefully evaluate our lives and intentionally make time for Jesus. If there are things that distract us to the point where we are unable to make time for Him, we should consider letting them go. 

Prayer

Father, help us to examine our lives for activities that distract us from our time with you. Give us the courage to let go of the things that separate us from you. In Jesus' name. Amen