In Luke 10:41-42 it says, “Martha Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (NIV)
This Christmas, consider doing less, not more. By simplifying life, you and I will have more enjoyment, more fulfillment, and less stress.
At one of the busiest times of the year, we need to make sure we’re filling our calendars, our minds, and our hearts with what’s important—not trivial things that won’t even matter in five years, much less for eternity.
The trivial things I’m talking about are not evil things. I know that I can fill my life with good things that keep me from spending time with God. I can be involved in ministry all the time and be so busy working for God that I don’t leave God any time to work within me.
An example of this can be seen in Mary and Martha, who were sisters and also friends of Jesus. One day they invited him to their home for a meal. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to his teaching. Martha was busy worrying about the food and making sure everything was in place.
Doesn’t that sound like Christmas? We spend months buying and wrapping gifts, decorating the house, putting up the lights, fixing the tree, sending out cards, preparing meals, and planning parties. Then, when Christmas arrives, I realize that I was so busy with the preparation that I didn’t make any time for Jesus.
“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!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:40-42 NIV).
Mary knew there was one thing worth her time: getting to know the Son of God.
Nothing else will matter in eternity. God didn’t put us on earth just to work and then retire. He wants you and I to get to know him.
So for this Christmas stop, take a breath, and shift focus to the one thing,
Martha didn't realize that in her desire to serve, she was actually neglecting her guest. Am I so busy doing things for Jesus that I'm not spending time with him? I should not let my service become self-serving. Jesus didn't blame her for being concerned about household chores. He was only asking her to set priorities. Service to Christ can degenerate into mere busywork that is totally devoid of devotion to God.
When it comes to my life and distractions, consider my cell phone. Do I own it or does it own me? If I’ve taken a useful tool and made it the most valuable thing in my life, then my phone has become my god. If I’ve allowed my phone to distract me from what is most important, then it has become my idol. In today’s passages, It illustrates that Martha didn't realize that in her desire to serve, she was actually neglecting her guest.
Am I so busy doing things for Jesus that I'm not spending time with him? I should not let my service become self-serving. Jesus was only asking her to set priorities. Service to Christ can degenerate into mere busywork that is totally devoid of devotion to God. And so, Martha was distracted by her preparations, which kept her from the most important thing: being with Jesus.
In my life I may think I’m focused on the right thing; returning that text, making that call, checking that status, answering that message. But if something keeps me from the most important thing, then it’s taken over my life. I need to continue to sit at Jesus’ feet every day of my life. Confess my wrong-doings and ask God for what I need. Praise him for who he is. It’s the most important part of my day because it affects everything else. The average person spends three hours and 15 minutes on their phone each day. In my case, how much time do I spend on the phone versus being in God’s Word? I shouldn’t let myself get distracted. I have control over how I spend my time. So this Christmas I want to keep this in mind and choose to spend it on what matters most.
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