2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26 ESV, Luke 10:38-11:13 ESV, Psalm 76:1-12 ESV, Proverbs 12:15-17 ESV
Daily Verse: “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 ESV)
PERISPAO (4049): “To drag all around, i.e., to distract (with care). Literally means to draw around, to draw away, to distract and is used in the passive voice in the sense of being over occupied about a thing; cumbered.”[i]
Draw away.
Missing the moment happens because of distraction. Something draws us away from the present to somewhere else. Martha’s distraction made her miss Christ, so obsessed with her sister she couldn’t see Jesus. Instead of helping Martha serve, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, soaking in His teaching. Martha missed the moment because her thoughts drew her away from the present.
Distraction’s subtlety makes it hard to recognize. Martha didn’t intentionally focus her thoughts on Mary instead of Jesus. No, something got her going on the rabbit trail. Ideas like “look at her over there, not doing a thing,” lead to “she never helps,” which leads to “I think she does it on purpose,” and on and on. Our mind captures us in a narrative we made up, not even close to reality.
Develop an anchor.
My husband will tell you; I can go down some dark rabbit trails with my thoughts. I have created narratives in my mind and believed lies as truth in the past. Breaking down those walls happens with Jesus, my anchor.
When we view the world through Jesus’ eyes, we see the humanity in all of us. Instead of demonizing people, Jesus changes our perspective, giving us one that recognizes hurting people hurt people. Everyone on earth struggles with pain and suffering; unseen hurt exists in us.
Maybe, if Martha listened to Jesus’ teaching instead of focusing on Mary’s failing, she might have learned a thing or two. Instead of letting her mind spiral out of control, she could have enjoyed time at the Master’s feet. Jesus told her, Mary had made the better choice.
“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 10:41-41 ESV)
Let go of your narrative today; choose the good portion instead. Make Jesus your anchor.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 199) Thomas Nelson
