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.

First things first, always

2 Chronicles 16; Zechariah 1; John 4; Revelation 5

When faced with a seemingly insurmountable situations, many people turn to prayer as a last resort. Once they’ve tried everything else, they say, “I’ve tried everything, I guess all I can do now is pray.” Sadly, there are some who never think to ask God about anything.

Asa, king of Judah during the divided kingdom, started out well, but in his latter years, he resorted to asking the king of Syria to help him with opposition from the king of Israel. A seer or prophet came to him with this:

“Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, he gave them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.” (2 Chronicles 16:7–9)

Asa didn’t learn from his mistake. Three years later, his feet were severely diseased but “He did not seek the Lord but sought help from physicians” not that going to the doctor is a sin but failing to rely on the Lord is a serious problem.

In the past few weeks, our small group Bible study has focused on idolatry. As I read the Bible today, I’m hearing the Lord say that whatever I turn to when trials come, if it is not the Lord, it indicates what I am putting in His place. Asa did that with Syria and with physicians. Had he sought the Lord, he might have been told to get help from those two sources, but he didn’t ask God first.

In Revelation 5, John writes of seeing a scroll that was sealed and weeping because he could not find anyone worthy to open the seals. Finally, an elder told him, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Rood of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then John saw Jesus and the elders falling before him with bowls of prayers and with millions of angels declaring the worthy of the Lamb who was slain. They were able to do this because they recognized the worth of Jesus — “who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” and they fell down and worshiped.

APPLY: In this incredible scene, the worth of Jesus leads to worship and acknowledging that Jesus alone is the One. Why first rely on anyone or anything else? He is our source and goal, the first thought, the best thought. When troubles come or when blessings come, Jesus is our Refuge and strength, the One to first seek, the One to first thank and praise. He ought always to be my first thought.

Our family is in a crisis. I’ve no news yet this morning but am waiting to hear about Kyle, badly injured while enjoying a snowboard ride. He is twenty-two. His parents and family are devastated. I am devastated. We are praying for a miracle yet preparing to say goodbye. For all of us, Jesus is our first thought. I cannot write anymore.

LATER: No definite anything except Kyle’s parents are saying they will be reunited one day . . .