Life is filled with distractions.
They are everywhere.
It’s always been that way for God’s people. Things haven’t changed much over the centuries.
In Luke 10:38-42 we read the account of Jesus, Mary, and Martha. I find this story compelling because it teaches us about the danger of distraction while showing us what to do about it.
And it does this through the captivating contrast of these two women.
First, there’s Martha, who “welcomed him [Jesus] into her house” yet “was distracted with much serving” (v. 39-40).
And then there’s Mary, who “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his [Jesus’] teaching” (v. 39).
To make matters worse, Martha complains about Mary to Jesus (v. 40). Martha doesn’t think Mary is doing enough to help Martha with the meal preparations. Mary is, well, just sitting there at the feet of Jesus. The only thing Mary is doing is listening to Jesus.
So Jesus tells Martha, “You are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (v. 41-42).
Wow. There’s so much truth in this passage. Here’s what God is teaching me.
1. Doing good for others can be bad for me.
Martha’s serving was a distraction. Not only that, it was a source of anxiety and trouble for her. Yet, in and of itself, her serving others was a good thing, isn’t it? Of course it was . . . in a sense. But in another sense, her good deed became a bad thing, a really bad thing.
And why is that?
Because doing a good thing can be a bad thing when it becomes a distraction from the main thing.
2. According to Jesus, only one thing is necessary: listening to the teachings of Christ.
Mary was fully engaged in the most important thing – hearing the Word of God. For a follower of Jesus, what should be Priority #1? Listening to Him speak through His Word.
In light of these truths, I’m asking myself:
- What “good thing” in my life has become a distraction from the “main thing”?
- What do I do that prevents me from doing the one thing that is, according to Jesus, “necessary”?
- What changes do I need to make to be more like Mary and less like Martha?
Feel free to join me in asking yourself these questions.
And may we not let “doing good” prevent us from choosing “the good portion” (v. 42) of the Word.
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