Freedom from distractions…

Yesterday and today are best described by the word distractions. A distraction is anything that diverts my attention. Sometimes it is offering recreation or entertainment, like one evening this week I watched old comedy clips from Carol Burnett because laughter felt very good. 

But diversion is not always fun. It can be an agitated mental state from bad news. Before I got up yesterday my hubby told me an email arrived from our granddaughter who has been teaching in another country. She fell and broke her ankle and kneecap, has had surgery on the ankle with pins, and is searching for tickets to come home.

I cannot think of much else. Praying, yes, but distracted by more email and more information and knowing she will arrive in a couple days and need more medical attention and lots of time to heal.

This word is used only once in the NT but distraction is an extension of other words that mean a state of concern, anxiety, burden, daily pressure, troubled. . . .  

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 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.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, 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.” (Luke 10:38–42)

In my situation, the distraction could be like the straw that broke the camel’s back — just another stress in an already too busy life. But not so. I’m feeling her pain, wanting to encourage her and help, etc. The distraction is not concern for me but for her. She lived with us, promised one day to push my wheelchair to repay me, and now we will likely be pushing hers, or at least involved in getting her to where she needs to go. 

As for the stress, Jesus offered Martha the solution to her distraction. “Sit with me. Listen to me. Don’t be troubled by all that needs to happen…” He is right and I need to do what He says.

This next passage is about anxiety with principles when I’m anxious for others:

And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life. . . . For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?. . . .  Do not be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. (Luke 12:22–31)

As well as taking care of physical needs, God cares about spiritual well-being, and I know that He can use this for good in her life. He knows what she needs in her heart and attitude, more than pins and plaster and 24/7 care for a short while, but a long-term trust in Him for all things. He is able to meet physical needs and encourage her to keep her thoughts on His promises as she mends. 

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5–7)

This is for me and for her. God is with us. We can ask for what is needed, but also be thankful and experience peace — and for both of us, a focused mind.

PRAY: Jesus, this burden is Your burden too. You ask us to cast all our cares onto You — which shows Your willingness to carry them for us. Yet to do that, we need to let You distract both of us from all anxieties, my concerns and our dear granddaughter from her pain and worries. Enable us to just sit at Your feet and hear You speak.

What gets lugged into each day?

 

Since Piper’s devotional for today was the last of a long one split into three days, I had another look at what Callaway had to say in his little book. He hit me with his description of taking too much stuff in his golf bag and how that was ruining his game. 

“I’ve got the full set, plus a driving iron. I’ve got an oversized 1-wood named Bertha and a ball retriever in case she misfires. My pockets are heavy with coins and ball markers and tees and car keys. The mosquitos where I live show up on radar screens, so I throw in a generous bottle of repellant. And sunscreen. And Band-Aids. One can’t be over-prepared, so I bring along bottled water, aspirin, and a knife that doubles as a club head cleaner, a cleat tightener, a bottle-top remover, and an alarm clock. I keep an extra jacket in my bag, too. Rain pants. An umbrella. Club head covers. And a coupon book that expired last September. Lugging all these accessories around the course made the rounds miserable, so I bought a small pull-cart to help me. Now I have a place to carry two more pop cans, the scorecard, four tees, and some extra pencils. If this continues, I’ll have to buy another cart.”

Of course this relates to life. While he compared it to “picking up a load of fear” and filling his mind with concerns he was not meant to bear, I compared it to my to-do list. Today it has a shopping errand, some laundry, email to answer, update two blogs, send a gift to someone, purge the storage room, read portions of three books, work on two quilts, plus the usual meals and household chores not listed. Never mind any interruptions, phone calls, or other things not written down that might pop up. Yikes.

Yesterday’s sermon was from this familiar passage:

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 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.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, 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.” (Luke 10:38–42)

I’ve always considered myself a ‘Mary’ but see how easily I slip into being “anxious and troubled about many things.” Even if I never forget to have devotions, how many times do I really listen to Jesus before starting anything else? The pastor stressed the importance of choosing the best portion before doing even the good things on our agenda. For me, it was helpful because seeking His will makes a difference in how the day goes. For one thing, it seems longer, and I make less mistakes. However, he also said that listening is not just waiting for my turn to talk or to make excuses for not having time to listen.

Callaway’s writing pushes me to consider that long list. What does Jesus say about it? Is some of it not important or non-essential? Am I burdening myself with extras ‘just in case’ rather than trusting Him for whatever might come up?

Of course lunch had to be made. The doing of it was not Martha’s problem. He spoke to her about her anxiety and attitude toward her work. Mary was being settled by taking instruction first. She no doubt helped Martha after that, but not before listening to the One who wants His servants to be at peace and find joy in all that we do.

PRAY: Thank You Jesus for all that You teach me. I sit and listen at church, yet know that listening ought to be a 24/7 attitude. You want me to know what You know and think how You think about everything, not just my list. Who knows… You might take things off it or even add things to it, but at the end of the day, knowing I’ve listened to You and followed Your instructions results in great rewards for making that choice.

From the Heart

 

I’ve been in two hospitals is the past few years. In the first, the staff were professional and did all they should do, yet I still felt like a number rather than a person in need. The second was entirely the opposite.  The staff did all they should do, but it was ‘kindness from the heart’ — and the difference was obvious. Now I better understand the power of obedience from the heart.

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man. (Ephesians 6:5–7)

I recovered quickly, surprising the doctor. I credited the Lord who heals and the prayers of my Christian friends, but now I also credit the hospital staff who were doing the will of God from the heart. It was a “faith-based hospital” and those caregivers know how to serve the Lord.

“Doing the will of God from the heart” is the only way of doing His will. Some servers are trained in the correct way to do their job, but I see now that those who have surrendered their will to God are the only ones capable of doing anything “from the heart.” As today’s devotional say, this is the essence of true virtue. It is not about the state of our emotions nor  the greatness of our illuminations nor the multitude of our good works. It is about being surrendered to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to direct and empower us in what we do.

This morning as I tidied up the kitchen and looked forward to devotions and the morning, the phone rang. My hubby had to take his vehicle to the dealer for servicing and it needed to stay there the rest of the day. Instead of getting a loaner vehicle, he wanted me to pick him up. I’ve been hearing God say, “Do the right thing” and knew my plans were not it. I was unsure how this could be a blessing, but have realized that doing the will of God is always right. I was given time to spend here with my Bible and God, but outside it was near -20C, windy with lots of blowing snow. Do the right thing.

And ignore my emotions. I love time alone with Jesus. Isn’t that what Jesus told Mary was the best thing?

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 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.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, 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.” (Luke 10:38–42)

Hubby knows this. At the same time, God is telling me that I am always ‘with Him’ — always listening to Him, and this time He is telling me to worship and then go — do as my husband asks and pay no attention to my I wants or the weather. He will bless this obedience. Submit to Him and He will take care of the rest of my day. After all, this may take only an hour out of it.

PRAY: Jesus, You are so practical. This may not seem like a big deal. I know some women who would say, ‘Call a taxi’ or belly-ache about going out on such a miserable cold and snowy day, but You tell me not only to do this but do it from the heart. With the Holy Spirit I know that I can. Thank You.

Defining ‘second-best’

Today’s focus is “the peril of second best” yet different people have different ideas of what that is. From three passages, the author of my devotional concludes that prayer, studying and preaching the Word of God take first place. His conclusion is that everything else comes second. But does it?

The first passage cited happened very soon after the formation of the church. Both Jews and Gentiles were coming to faith. The church was taking care of their widows and some of the non-Jewish believers felt that their widows were being neglected. To solve this problem, “the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’”

This pleased everyone, they choose seven men and the apostles prayed and laid their hands on them. Then the Bible says that “the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:1–7)

The devotional author attributes this growth to the apostles who choose to do what they did best. I’m sure that was important, but that growth also may have been because those godly seven men stepped up and did what they could do. If Christians only prayed and studied Scripture all day, preaching or teaching whenever possible, who would make meals and care for their families? Isn’t there more to being a Christian than those important spiritual disciplines? God does ask me to sit at His feet, but He also asks me to do other things.

A well-known example is the second passage. Jesus went to Martha’s house. She “had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 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.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, 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.’” (Luke 10:38–42)

Those Christians whose gifts are in serving usually miss seeing that Jesus was gently rebuking Martha, but not for serving. Note that she was distracted and anxious about it. This attitude is not the first-best that Jesus gives His people.

I’ve been like Mary. Sitting at the feet of Jesus is far more interesting than making lunch, but lunch has to be made and Jesus often calls me to the kitchen. For Martha, it was not the serving that Jesus rebuked, but that Martha was serving with a sinful attitude. She may have wanted to be where Mary was, which was good, but she also resented Mary for being there. She even began giving the Lord of Lords a rebuke when all she needed was a few moments with Him to make serving others a joy and not a troublesome task.

Serving Jesus and His disciples lunch is not second-best, but serving with resentment, or doing anything without putting Jesus as the cornerstone of my heart, is. Jesus calls me to serve Him with all my heart, to do whatever I do (even eating and drinking) as unto Him, and by His grace and in His strength. If I do things for myself, half-heartedly, and in my own strength, and resent others who are not doing the hard work that I am doing . . . then I’ve stepped into the realm of second-best. Tasks done for the Lord are not graded by what the tasks are, but by the attitude in which I do them.

Paul wrote to Timothy saying, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules . . . .” (2 Timothy 2:1–7)

Whatever I do can only be pleasing to God when they are done “as unto the Lord” – rather than for sinful reasons and motivations. Otherwise they are an entanglement. An athlete cannot be victorious if he ignores the rules of his sport just as a Christian must not ignore God’s guidance for our work.

Besides, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone, there is no ‘secular’ work. The sovereign power of God is able to use all things to benefit and build His kingdom. Second-best happens only when I leave Him out of it.

Even the strong must pray . . .

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)

Some have the idea that only weak people pray. Others might say that our power is nothing compared to the power of God, so comparatively, we are all weak.

In the last few months, deeper Bible study, greater spiritual battles, and the grace of God have revealed to me that only by the power of God do I take another breath. Weakness? Only pride makes me think I have any strength apart from Him.

Over the years, I’ve studied the story of Mary and Martha with various groups of women. Without exception, those who are servers and proud of it do not ‘get it.’ They don’t see that Jesus rebuked Martha for serving in her own strength and becoming frustrated because of it. She did not choose to draw strength from Jesus . . .

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 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.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, 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.” (Luke 10:38–42)

Mary sat at his feet. This wasn’t about who was the better servant, but about knowing the one thing that is needed to serve God: His power and not our own.

Relying on Jesus for everything, even for the things that could be done (or so I think) without Him, requires prayer. This cannot be token prayer, but a total dependence that even Jesus Himself demonstrated throughout His life. In the beginning of His ministry “when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying” to the end “Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 3:21–22 and 23:46) Jesus prayed to His Father about all things. Obviously this is not about weakness but about reliance.

Such reliance is vital. God even said, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:5)

The psalmist tells us the same thing; “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (Psalm 105:4) and also says why we should do it, “The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.” (Psalm 28:8)

I cannot save myself so why trust myself at all? Yet reliance on God is not an automatic attitude. My sinful heart continually wants to go its own way. It is an idol-making factory that exalts other things above God, even my own self. I’ve had to learn that . . .

Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. (1 Chronicles 29:12)

Prayer is how to express my need for the strength of the Lord. His Word reminds me that He alone is my Savior, lest I think I can “do this myself” and lest I put my own abilities in place of His. I can choose to be like Martha who headed to the kitchen without kneeling at His feet, or I can be like Mary who “choose the best part” by first spending time with Jesus and making Him the center of her trust. Whether she felt weak or not, she had learned what I must also learn.

The bottom line of everything I do is to: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10) Amen!

High price of distractions

My ADD tendencies cause me to be easily distracted. If this were not nuisance enough, the same ADD problems also mean that I can focus on a project with such concentration that I forget to eat and sleep. Much of my daily energy is spent trying to focus on the right tasks and at the same time stay open to God’s direction to stop one thing and do something else.

Today I had some problems with praying even though I’ve learned to walk and speak aloud to avoid getting sidetracked. However, working on next week’s Bible study material was almost impossible. I kept thinking of things to do, jumping up to do something left undone, and dashing off to mindlessly surf the Internet a couple of times.

Interesting that Spurgeon should select this passage of Scripture for this day. It describes me, but I thought I was more like Mary . . . 

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 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.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, 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.” (Luke 10:38–42)

Writing a Bible study or any service to Jesus is not wrong. Martha’s serving was not wrong either. Followers of Jesus Christ are called to serve Him. Even Martha’s “much serving” was okay. She had the honor of making a meal for Jesus and His disciples. This was a good thing and doing it with all her might was also a good thing. More Christians should be like that.

However, Jesus scolded her. If the passage is read too quickly, it looks like He scolded her for serving, but not so. He said she was “anxious and troubled” about her service, and that was her problem. She became distracted by the task and neglected the One she served. As Spurgeon says, she “allowed service to override communion” and by that, she ruined her service with anxiety and a trouble heart.

Mary sat at Jesus feet and listened to Him. He commended her for doing so and said that it was the “good” choice that would not be taken away. That is, sitting with Him is never a bad thing and whatever she got from it became a permanent part of her life.

I never met these two women, but if they were like I am, both needed to sit with Him. Mary knew it and I know too. I cannot do anything without His grace and strength, or at least not do it well. I need time with my Master. Martha took the other option, and it spoiled her service.

Spurgeon says it is easier to serve than to commune with God. I agree. Spending time with Jesus requires all of my concentration. Focus is a challenge. As Spurgeon also says, the more spiritual the exercise, the sooner we tire in it. I’d add that the more intimacy I need with God, the more frequently I am distracted and anxious. Prayer is the hardest work.

Writing a Bible study is hard work also, but if I don’t spend time in prayer before and during, I might be putting down words, but they will be unpalatable and unfruitful. Unless I abide in the Vine, whatever I do is fruitless.

This is not just the writing task, but my other chores. Everything on my to-do list needs grace and prayer. This is the “good portion” I must choose. Whether I am writing or leading a study, or making the bed, or washing cups, I first need that living, personal fellowship with Jesus.

Sitting at the Savior’s feet is neglected at my peril. My soul needs this to be healthy, to glorify Him, and to be useful to Him. Martha neglected it and was out of sorts, even blamed Jesus because He “didn’t care” that Mary left her to do the work all by herself. Whether I am distracted from Jesus by my work or by other stuff, I tend to be crabby, resentful and complaining. People get the brunt, but I am really upset with God and start telling Him what to do. 

On the other hand, spending time with Jesus before and during my work changes my attitude. As Jesus said to Mary, this is a good choice and it will not be taken from me. Yet Jesus was gracious to Martha and spoke gently. He does the same when distractions make a Martha out of me. As I bring the ugly results to Him. He reminds me that I’ve strayed. As I confess my sin to Him, He does take it from me — then directs me back to choosing the good portion that will stay with me forever!