Distractions

These first weeks of school have, at times, left me distracted with all my preparations.  My to-do list seems endless.  One task completed reminds me of a forgotten task that must be added.  It is easy to become worried and bothered about so many things.  It is easy to fret and scurry from job to job.  It is easy to allow my priorities to get turned upside down and to foolishly add details that are unnecessary, details that cause me to feel overworked and unappreciated.  Then, as Martha did in Luke 10:38-42, I try to force these same expectations on others.  I demand and scold and insist on help so that I am not left to do the work alone.

Martha’s meal preparations differ from my school preparations.  However, I do identify with her tumult and frustration.  Her movement from task to task as Mary rests at the feet of Jesus may have caused many furtive glances in the direction of the teacher.  Does He not see the work that must be completed?  Does He not care that I am left to serve alone?  Should He not tell her to help me?  The thoughts may have festered for some time until she was unable to hold them to herself any longer.  She took her complaint to Jesus expectant that He would take her side in the matter.  Instead He answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Because God has chosen to add this little story in His word, I am led to believe that I may not be the only woman who worries and bothers about so many things.  In Gods at War, Kyle Idleman asks, “How many times have we been so distracted that we’ve missed a divine moment?”   How many times have I allowed my worries about so many things distract me from the one thing necessary, the one thing that will not be taken away?  Martha is to be commended for the required work that she did to entertain the Lord and those with Him.  However, she allowed her work to become a burden.  She put too much stress on things that didn’t really matter and allowed them to distract her from the one thing that did matter. 

The one thing that matters is our relationship with the Lord.  Our focus must first be on Him and on the divine moments He so graciously offers us.  We must sit at His feet and learn from Him and His word.  The peace and guidance that we find there will enable us to complete our required work and service with joy and satisfaction.  That joy and satisfaction will spill over into our relationships.  We will no longer demand and scold.  We will no longer expect others to help with the work load.  Instead, we will find rest for our souls for His yoke is easy and His burden is light.