These past few weeks have been tough for me considering I put in over 100hrs at work. I would then come home and start working on a variety of things for my ministry. It has drained me not only mentally, but physically as well. I had no motivation to do anything. Usually, I know what I am going to write about in my blogs weeks in advance. But, this week was tough I couldn’t think of what I was going to write about. Every idea I had the devil would plant lies in my head trying to get me off track.
One day on my lunch break I decided to go to this chill burger joint and read a book to get my mind together and relax from the crazy day at work. As I was sitting and waiting for my food to come out I simply started talking to God. I was just venting my frustrations and saying how tired I was, how I didn’t know what I was going to write about, and how it was taking time away from me studying and focusing on Braveheart. Just as I took a breath to stop and take a sip of my drink, He said softly “Distractions.”
Just hearing that word birthed a fire in my spirit and I couldn’t wait to get home to start studying about distractions in The Bible. As I was studying I came across the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. The story is about Jesus chillin’ at Mary and Martha’s home. Scripture says: “But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.” The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.” HCSB
As I read the story a simple revelation came to me, despite the distractions at hand, whether it is a job, friends, relationship, or whatever is trying to take your focus, we have to remember to always sit at the feet of Jesus. This means pursuing Him and His presence when we feel like the world is spinning around us. I was letting my work life (distraction) flow into my personal time with God and this was the very reason that I was feeling drained physically and spiritually.
You notice in the story Martha was letting her “daily life routine” distract her from what was most important and that was being with Jesus. Martha was letting her tasks steal her blessing. Mary knew exactly what to do; she knew that the only thing that mattered was being at the feet of Jesus. Mary was not distracted about what had to be done at home, or at work, or thoughts about the next day, or next week, she put her whole focus on Jesus just learning and listening to the things He was speaking.
Scripture shows that Jesus was more pleased with Mary because she put Him first. Despite what is going on around us, we need to be more like Mary and not let distractions hinder what Jesus is trying to teach us through them. Jesus is pleased when we make the decision to put Him first and as He says in scripture… “it will not be taken away from her,” He won’t let life’s distractions overcome you!
James 4:7 says “Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.” HCSB
Turning your focus back to Jesus will always give you PEACE. Peace that whatever you are going through will not last forever. Peace that God has your back even in the midst of trouble. Peace that gives you the assurance that better days are ahead. Don’t let your distractions win the war of your focus. You win the war by setting your eyes back to God.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1-2 ESV
I needed to read this at this exact moment!!! Perfect timing!!! =) thank you.
Chelles, Perfect timing for the both of us! 🙂
Loved your post! I just sent text to my daughter who is away at UC Berkeley. She stopped going to church all of last semester because of distractions, many of which for her at the time “were important ” such as completeing homework, etc. When this semester rolled around I would remind her, “please go, rearrange your schedule to fit an hr of your time to hear Him. ” She did. She has been going to hear His word and blessing on top of blessing for her since. Thank you for this. It serves as a reminder. Sometimes it is better to hear from another person that is not mom. I would be a hypocrite to just say my daughter, but distractions happen to us all. I include myself, Thank you!
Eva, it blesses my heart that you and your family are being touched by my blogs week in and week out. Being a college graduate I know how hard it can be to keep your focus, but sometimes it takes us to get off track to get back on track. She may have been “distracted” but her focus has been pointed back to the one that is most important – God!
Very good post. Very relevant and on time.
DJ, the Lord knows what we need when we need it!
So true. BTW, I try to like your posts but I can’t. I get this link to WordPress and am not quite sure what to do about that. Just wanted to let you know you have our support and prayers.
Jen, Yes, I believe in order for you to like you actually have to set up an account with wordpress. That’s what I had to do when I was trying to like someone else’s post.