The Distraction Of Busyness

Luke 10:38-42 (NLT) –

‘As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’

But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’

‘I’m too busy’ these three words and all its variations ‘I’ve got a lot on,’ ‘I have no time’ ‘I’m up to my eyeballs’ etc… are words we find ourselves saying all the time.             

But have we ever thought that being ‘busy’ can actually be a distraction? During lockdown 1.0, one thing I learnt was life was too busy. Growing up in London, I was used to everyone going at 1000mph, battling with other commuters just to be packed like sardines on the tube or on the bus and being too distracted to even say thanks to the drivers. But is that how it is meant to be?

Jesus tells Martha, in Luke 10, there is only one thing worth being concerned about - the Word of God. The Word which is eternal and will never pass away. Many of us are like Martha in this story; we are busy with life. God knows we have busy lives, hectic jobs, maybe juggling so many things at once, but he is telling us, even in the midst of that, we need to find ways to focus on him.

Our busy lives can distract us from the Word, from fellowship with God, from sitting at the feet of Jesus as Mary did. When we do as Mary did, the worry that comes with stressing over making deadlines and always trying to do enough, will dissipate. We should always find time to hear from God, to read even the smallest piece of his Word, to talk with him as we would talk to our loved ones and to enjoy his presence. Martha was upset that her sister wasn’t helping, when the truth is, as you sit at Jesus’ feet, he himself helps you with all the things that need doing.  

Prayer – Lord help me to spend time with you, however busy I may be. I pray I will take delight in your presence above all things.