September 5 | Week 1: Grace and Devotion
Distracted By All The Preparations
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.”
1. What was Martha busy with? What was Mary doing? Clearly, Martha was busy serving! Martha was working hard to make sure the house would be clean! Obviously, Jesus deserved good food and to feel welcome in their home! Besides, how bad would it be if Jesus saw a messy house and a mediocre meal – or worse, no meal at all!? Mary was focused on Christ. She was giving him her undivided and wholehearted attention. She was listening to “the Word.”
Worried And Upset About Many Things
2.Martha’s work was not bad. So why did Jesus correct her? Martha was worried and upset. Also, what she said was also biting in a critical sense of both Jesus (“don’t you care”) and Mary, her sister (“left me to do all the work?”). However, what Jesus wanted was for them to listen to him. Ultimately, the Lord was not concerned about “all the prepartions” that “had to be done.” “First things” (Jesus) – “first.”
3. Are you more like Martha or Mary right now? What has you distracted? I can be more like Martha. I was tempted to be distracted this morning by my email box and managing one of our systems. Systems have to be maintained. Websites must be sustained. Support emails should be quickly responded to so as to avoid disdain. As a disciple, I know that I must guard my heart and remember, doing “work” on anything before time with God is arrogant – and leads to being cursed. “This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:5)
Worries, Deceitfulness, and Desires
Mark 4:18-19
Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
1. What three things choke the word and keep it from bearing fruit? The worries of this life! I can worry about debt, health, kids (and their needs, their education) and the state or stability of my career.
Additonally, the deceitfulness of wealth. I believe that this is subtle – especially because I live in the United States where there is so much access to wealth. Often, wealth itself is treated like a gospel. Therefore, it’s a temptation to just focus on how to make more money or how to make a quick buck. A “side-hustle” can become the priority. Even worse, a “side-hustle” is a MLM and mixes the pursuit of wealth into every relationship.
Distracted by Both Work And Entertainment!
Personally, the desires for other things. I am surrounded by sources of entertainment. Furthermore, I carry a “smart phone” that presents all manner of distractions. It’s so easy to burn two hours on “entertainment.” Admittedly, getting rest is good (and necessary) but being debaucherous with it is wicked.
2. Which one of the three is choking your growth the most? Firstly, The worries of this life (debt/health/career) and the desires for other things (entertainment). I think it is a “tie” between “career” and “entertainment.” Lately, I’ve been more “choked” by the career matters – like just the job itself having demands with a sense of immediacy or urgency.
Throw Off Everything That Hinders
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1. What are we told to throw off? I am called to “throw off” everything that hinders! Additionally, I must dump the sin that so easily entangles!
2. What are we supposed to fix our eyes on instead? I am called to fix my eyes on Jesus.
Cutting Off Distraction & Re-Devoting
APPLICATION: Distraction is one of the enemy’s best tools. He does not need to make you sin, he just needs to keep you busy. Name the biggest distraction pulling you away from God right now, and cut it off today. The first thing that comes to my mind is that I caught myself prioritizing work and that it harms my time with God. Furthermore, if I am going to repent and really change this, I must be open about it every time it happens. There are other contenders for “biggest distraction” – like worrying about my wife’s health. Therefore, both of these are worth being very open about and talking through.
Amen.
