August 18, 2016

PRIORITY SHIFT: WHAT ARE YOU FOCUSED ON TODAY?

Luke 10:38–42

Melissa Lewis
Thursday's Devo

August 18, 2016

Thursday's Devo

August 18, 2016

Central Truth

When you have a dreadful to-do list, it is common to worry and be anxious about those things. Do not temporarily forget what your necessary task is today: abiding in our Savior! Christ is not calling us to be consumed with our undertakings. He simply wants our undivided attention!

Key Verse | Luke 10:40

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” (Luke 10:40)

Luke 10:38–42

Martha and Mary

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus 1 10:38 Greek he entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. 2 10:42 Some manuscripts few things are necessary, or only one Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Footnotes

[1] 10:38 Greek he
[2] 10:42 Some manuscripts few things are necessary, or only one

Dive Deeper | Luke 10:38–42

I know some of you read this passage and thought, “Martha, why are you strung out about extraneous tasks when Jesus is in your living room?!” We all have experienced moments when we become preoccupied, but have you ever been so distracted by something you forget what is happening right in front of you (think Doug from Disney’s Up: “Squirrel!”)? These distractions can include a daunting task at work or an urgent decision needing to be made. Maybe it is not one thing, but several little things to which you have committed: classes at school, serving at church, another organization, your job, kids, dinner with friends, weekend trips, sports events, Bible study, chores, maintaining a healthy body. And this all while trying to pursue Christ wholeheartedly!

Just reading that list can overwhelm! We all have a moment (or hundreds) when we are sidetracked by things like Martha was—distracted to the point of losing sight of what is in front of us.

The Message translation captures the passage in a way that most of us would use in describing our lives today: “But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do . . . .” (Luke 10:40, MSG, emphasis added). These words create such an image in relation to our lives, which have become overcommitted and overwhelming. Our  lives are seemingly pulling us away from Christ. Every day we face a crucial decision to listen to Christ, who calls us to “choose what is better” and seek Him first before being carried away with the world. Mary understood this as she sat at the feet of Christ, “hanging on every word he said.” (verse 39, MSG) Our daily lives with their many tasks may be well-intended, but not when we are distracted from His best. Paul tells us in Philippians 3:17-21 that many people/places/things will attempt to steal our attention, but we have so much more in life because we are children of Christ!

When we inadvertently pull a Martha and put the world before Christ, take heart, as we are saved by grace! While He remains faithful amidst our distractions, I pray we choose to set aside hindrances and focus on Christ.

Discussion Questions

1. When you read today's passage, did you hang onto every word or just rush through the reading in order to check it off your to-do list? If the latter, I encourage you to spend more time hanging on and in His Word. 

2. What distractions or worries in life can you rid yourself of to devote yourself more fully to Christ each day?

3. Are you thankful for your siblings (both in Christ and relatives)? We are often complete opposites, including in how we respond to our Savior. Do their lives reflect fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) that yours may not yet? What can you learn from their priorities?