Are You Distracted

 

Distraction can be deadly! How often do we hear of a car accident caused because the driver was distracted? Spiritual distraction is far more deadly, having eternal consequences.

Someone Who Was Distracted

³⁸ Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

·        Jesus enters a village (Bethany) which was a short distance (2 miles) from Jerusalem on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives.

·        One of the two sisters, Martha, welcomed or received him to be entertained as a guest. Martha was no doubt an exceptional woman who cared about service and hospitality and the comfort of her guests.

·        The other sister, Mary, was probably more introspective and quiet than her sister. She sat at the feet of Jesus, which indicated the role of a student learning from a teacher.

“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. (Acts 22:3)

“She wanted to experience the blessings of an attentive, devoted personal time with Jesus.”—Caldwell

·        Martha concentrated on domestic duties, which she thought were necessary to show hospitality to their guest. That was not wrong. But Christ’s message is about priorities. She was distracted and pulled away from spending time with Jesus. Her intentions were good and honorable. According to Jesus, she was overly burdened and missed something much more important. Spiritual concerns are much more important than material provisions.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

·        Her words seem to suggest that He is insensitive to her position as the lone worker in the household. She was frustrated and maybe even agitated. Jesus responds lovingly and with concern. “You are anxious and disturbed.” Martha was too busy getting the physical things right and was losing an opportunity to receive spiritual teaching.

“Never allow the physical preparations necessary to ministering to overshadow the ultimate object of our ministry.”—Cladwell

·        Verse 42—“one thing” as opposed to the “many things.” This wonderful occasion of listening to Jesus would never be taken from Mary. The physical meal would pass away, but the bread of life found in Jesus and His words would never pass away from Mary or Martha.

 

Others Who Were Distracted

·        Many today may identify with Martha because of all the distractions in our world. Just think of all the electronic distractions alone—emails, texts, Facebook notifications, and messages—these interruptions occur throughout the day.

·        There were others who were distracted, as seen in Jesus’ words of Matthew 13:22:

Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

How many of us are so distracted by the cares of this world and the entanglements of financial issues that the Word of God is pushed aside? These distractions keep us from the things we love the most—our faith, spouses, and children.

·        Are you distracted from keeping Jesus at the center of your life? Are you spending personal time with Him? If He has slipped from being the focus of your life, how can you get Him back?

Getting Refocused

·        Keep your eyes on the Lord.

¹ Unto You I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens.
² Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He has mercy on us. (Psalm 123:1-2)

Don’t take your eyes off him like Peter did on the water. Remember, God is on His throne and is always watching you and caring about you.

·        Keep your mind on the Lord.

³ You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
⁴ Trust in the Lord forever,
For in Yah, the Lord is everlasting strength. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

Focus on God alone. Recall what Jesus said in Matthew 6:6:

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Minimize distraction in your prayer life and also in your daily Bible study.

¹ Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
² But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)

·        Keep your walk close to Him. Recall the song “When We Walk With the Lord.” Walk in obedience to His Word. As the song says, “Trust and Obey.”

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, (1 Peter 1:22)

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. (1 John 5:2)

 

Don’t let the things of this world distract you and take your attention off of the Lord. Serve the Lord without distraction.

And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. (1 Corinthians 7:35)

 

 

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