UNDISTRACTED

Luke 10:38-42 (TPT)

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

38–39 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their journey, they came to a village where a woman welcomed Jesus into her home. Her name was Martha and she had a sister named Mary. Mary sat down attentively before the Master, absorbing every revelation He shared. 40 But Martha became exasperated by finishing the numerous household chores in preparation for her guests, so she interrupted Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t you think it’s unfair that my sister left me to do all the work by myself? You should tell her to get up and help me.”

41 The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Are they really that important? 42 Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.”

I'm sure we have read and heard of this passage SO many times by now. How Martha was being a grouch and scolding her sister for spending time with Jesus.

What we don't always care to notice is that Martha is the one with a servant's heart. She chose to open up her home and serve Jesus; "they came to a village where a woman welcomed Jesus into her home". That hospitable woman was Martha.

Being the older sister, perhaps she was more organized and responsible. Perhaps Mary was always the laid-back sister.

Either way, I'm sure Martha felt stressed and worried trying to tend to everything. Perhaps she even felt unappreciated and left alone in the midst of the crowd.

How quickly Martha went from welcoming to worrying! Her intentions were pure, and her heart's desire was to serve. She wanted to use her gifts and resources to serve her Lord, but her worry got the best of her.

Our bad attitudes can spoil the gifts we try to offer God!

Not once or twice have I found myself in Martha's shoes. Good intentions can very quickly turn into resentment when we allow ourselves to become irritated by what others aren't doing. Our thoughts and actions become selfish rather than selfless like they started out being.

Martha worried so much, that it blinded her eyes and heart to what truly mattered most - sitting as His feet. (Distractions, distractions, distractions!)

Worry overcame Martha's faith, and her focus turned away from Jesus.

Her focus left Jesus, and turned to her younger sister. All of a sudden, there is anger, resentment, and bitterness. Martha's wearied heart chose to see the unfairness of the situation, and she spoke up to Jesus. Out of self-pity she tried to make Mary look bad, but it only made her look like the bad guy instead.

Martha's work for the Lord became more important than her Lord.

Doing His work cannot be more important than sitting in His presence, at His feet!

All Martha had to do was to take a break (and a deep breath) and sit with Jesus:

" Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest". (Matthew 11:28)

Coming to Jesus Christ, we can exchange our burdens & heavy hearts for some rest for our souls!

Just like Martha, we sometimes need to say NO to what we are good at (hosting, ministry, working, serving), and focus what is truly important.

Jesus made it clear that it is a PRIVILEGE to sit in His presence. He reminds us to be undistracted at His feet.

Unlike our jobs and chores that need to be crossed off the list and "get done", we enter His presence to get UNdone!

Time can never be wasted when we choose our Lord.

His presence > our ministry & gifts

Choose to sit at His feet UNDISTRACTED.