Distracted or Drawn?

He was at the door.  She opened it, welcoming Him in.  Her thoughts went to dinner. After all, she was the hostess. Isn't that what is offered when another enters one's home? Her sister, Mary, sat at His feet, listening to what He taught.  But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. Frustration set in.  Comparison, (or was it jealousy?) began to slither in her soul, accompanied by it's old companion, Pride, with Maryter close at hand. He just sat there, doing nothing but speaking into another's heart. Martha went to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to You that my sister just sits there while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me!"

But Jesus had another confrontation in mind; one with Martha, not her sister.  "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."

No 'put-down' for the intent.  Concern for one caught up in worry, upset over details, telling the God of the Universe what to do rather than drawing near to hear what might be said to her from the Divine!

Let's look at this very familiar account from Luke 10:38-42 together, shall we?

A couple of things, and then please, hop on and interact!!

1. Jesus went to Martha's home, not Mary's.
2. Martha welcome Him in!
3. Question: How come Jesus went there? To eat?....or perhaps there was another reason....
4. Mary chose to sit and listen to Jesus; Martha chose to serve a big dinner.
5. Question: Is one choice better than the other?  Hummmm......
6.  The Living Word says that "Martha was distracted by the 'big dinner prep.'

                The dinner became more important than the Guest.    Bingo!


Thought: Does how what we do distract or draw us closer to Jesus?  Is it about HIM  or about the "prep?"


How do we know?  The Indicators!


"Prep" indicators:  Worry. Upset. Distraction. Pouring over details. Talking to Jesus about other humans rather than listening to Him!


"About Him" indicators: Focus on Him!  Listening TO HIM!


So, is this account about ACTIVITY verses QUIETNESS?  Perhaps not.

It's about checking ourselves to make sure that 'the ministry', 'the activity', 'the function', 'the meeting', 'the gathering' is secondary to the Guest!!!! 


 Are we DRAWN to Jesus or DISTRACTED by the all the 'preparations'?


Drawn,
 Ele