I was listening to a podcast about a couple who had a prison ministry, and a comment caught my ear, because they said prisoners are so much more focused in their study of God’s Word. Why? They’re not distracted by phones or the internet. They have a captive audience, literally. (Sorry, bad joke).
Do you get distracted?
I do. Very easily, in fact. I’ve even blogged about it before. (Distractions)
So, why am I talking about it again? Because it’s still an issue, and we’re still in that time of Lent — the forty days of reflection prior to the wonderful celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death.
Distractions get in the way of reflection.
The Bible gives us some great examples, and one of the most famous comes shortly after the verse in Luke 9, which says that Jesus had “resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Here he was on the way to the cross, knowing all that it would require, and yet he just wanted to spend a little time on the way with some dear friends.*
Maybe he needed to prepare them for what was going to happen, give them a friendly heads-up, so to speak. They would have much to face, both over their brother’s death and that of their closest friend.
But Martha was distracted.
If she’d only realized how important it was to listen to Jesus. How much he needed her to understand.
Mary seemed to get it. She sat at Jesus’ feet, taking in every word. That’s why, when Martha complained about her lack of help, Jesus told her to chill. “Mary has chosen what is better.”*
Where is your mind this Lenten season? Cleaning house for Easter guests? Thinking of what you’re going to cook for Easter dinner? Trying to shop for Easter baskets for the kids?
Or, have you chosen what is better? Listening for Jesus?
Don’t get distracted. Focus on him and be blessed.
Grace and Peace
*Luke 10:42 (NIV).
*Note: This passage in Luke may be taken out of chronological sequence in Jesus’ travels to Jerusalem, but in either case, he would have been sharing important truths to his friends, and they needed to listen. The point of the lesson remains the same either way.