Distracted

Luke 10:38-42

38 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.”

I have read about this particular occurrence many times before, but the four words found in Verse 40 really did a number on me this morning. Martha did a wonderful thing by opening her home to Jesus and His disciples.
As any of us would do, she wanted everything to be perfect. I can imagine that she was reaching way back into her cabinets to pull out the best dinnerware she had. Items that otherwise would be left lying around were being thrown into any available space to give the appearance that her home was immaculate. 

And the food…’If only I had known in advance that Jesus was coming, I would have made sure that I had the choice selections from the market.’

(Fell's Point)
Baltimore, MD

 The nervous energy had to be pumping through Martha’s veins.

But her sister Mary just sat down at the feet of Jesus to listen to what He had to say. How could she? The most important houseguest you could ever have is sitting in your living room…and you just sit down to listen?

This is where Verse 40 comes into our story and relates to us even today. 

Jesus had shown up in her home and Martha got distracted from what was most important. Jesus did not need what she could do for Him…She needed what He could do for her.

(Inner Harbor)
Baltimore, MD

How many:

- Distracted ‘could-be’ mentors are out there today?
You could be used mightily to speak words of guidance into others lives, but…
- Distracted husbands / wives?
Your spouse longs to be heard, loved, and communicated with, but…
- Distracted Pastors?
You are so caught up in the ‘preparation’ of what you think needs to be done that you miss what is most important.
- Distracted mom’s / dad’s?
T.I.M.E. It is all our children want, but…
- Distracted friends?
Our circle clamors for genuine honor and respect from us, but…

Jesus does not need ‘us’ quite as bad as sometimes we think He does. His plan, will, and purpose will be accomplished with or without our actions. As He told Martha, “…few things are needed – or indeed only one.”

Look around and evaluate where you are today. You just might be distracted from what is most important and not even know it.