A DISTRACTED MIND LEADS TO A COMPLAINING HEART
SCRIPTURE:
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38—42)
OBSERVATION:
Martha had a good heart wanted to care for Jesus who visited them. However, the good heart suddenly changed because she saw that Mary wasn’t helping her. Martha took it further and complained to Jesus for not telling Mary to help her out. Sometimes we miss the best thing because we are busy trying to do the good. Jesus did not condemn Martha’s desire to serve, however give her a thought to help her think about what the most important and best thing is to do.
A couple things to take notice of what made Marth miss the best thing.
- Martha was DISTRACTED by all the preparation
- Martha complained because of all the preparation she has to do
- Martha was worried and upset about many things
So many times, we become distracted, complaining, worried and upset about so many things. We lose the joy of serving with a pure heart. We complained about others who are not doing as much as we are. I too have these feelings from time to time. We started off with a good heart and intentions and ended with hurts and complaining.
Jesus said, Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. What MANY THINGS are becoming a DISTRACTION to your priorities? Are those things necessary or are they there just to fill in our calendar and to do list? How I need to learn from Mary how not to allow many things to distract me from the main thing.
Jesus commended Mary for choosing the few necessary things that really needed to focus on. Jesus also said, about Mary choice to resist the need to be busy and chose the only one thing that is needed, and that is to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from him. I need to prioritize my life of service to Christ. I must resist the temptation of always performing to try to impress. I am reminded to learn to SIT AT THE FEET OF JESUS, first before I go out to serve.
Perhaps the very first thing that I must do before doing something for Jesus is to know Jesus, listen to him, spend time with him and let him have all of my attention and focus. I need to choose that one thing I needed, and that is to spend time in the presence of Jesus and let nothing take that moment away from me. I learn not to have my service for Jesus supersedes my spending time in his presence and learn from him.
APPLICATION:
I am convicted of this truth as well. There are many times that I tend to perform and not spending time in Jesus’ presence. I need to spend more time in Jesus presence and his word before I venture out to do anything that I must do for him. I need to prioritized my time in his presence and hear his word daily.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for pointing out that there is only one thing that is needed in my life and that is to spend time in your presence. I ask that you help me to be so aware of the fact that without your presence, I will be distracted and focus on things less important. Teach me to hear you and spend my time daily to hear you speak to me. Lead me to do thy will and not what I want to do. Amen!
