Captivated: Undistracted

I just finished doing dishes, folding and putting away laundry, scrubbing the bathroom, vacuuming, and organizing my desk. Not because I was determined to clean my apartment. No, I got all of this done because I doing everything I can think of to AVOID working on some assignments for some classes I've been taking. Now I'm jumping into this blog and it is very likely that a round or two of some game on my phone will be played yet tonight as I strive to avoid the research and planning the assignments will require. The only reason a trip to the gym will not be added into the mix is the fact that it is currently closed. But....there is always tomorrow!

If there is one thing I envy previous generations for is the comparative lack of distractions they had to deal with in their day to day life. No Facebook to tempt them into doom scrolling. No 24 hour news channels to surf seeing if there is a new spin on the latest scandal. No notifications dining and demanding attention on mini computers fronting as phones in their pockets. Distractions are more plentiful than ever in our world keeping us from focusing on things which should be on the top of our priority list. Like Jesus.

In Luke 10 we see the story of two sisters who are in charge of getting their home ready to receive Jesus as a guest. Mary and Martha. In typical oldest child form, I'm very much a Martha in these situations. I don't want to invite people over unless I'm sure I have had time to clean every part of my house and make, at the very least, some special dessert or snack. I want fresh bedding on the bed and my book shelf tidy and dusted. I get it from my mom. I get it from Martha.

Martha, in her frustration at being left to do everything on her own, interrupts Jesus (yes, a horrified gasp would be appropriate here) as he is TEACHING (even more horrified) to tell him to send Mary into the kitchen to help her prepare all that is yet left to do (que fainting from the very thought of such rudeness!). While Jesus acknowledges there is work to be done, he tells Martha that Mary has chosen what is most important and so he will not take it away from her.

What did Mary choose? Good question. She chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to what he was teaching those who he had been traveling with. She chose to embrace being in the presence of the Messiah who would only in their home for a short time over chores and preparations that would be there for days, weeks, months, and even years to come.

It is so incredibly easy to get distracted by the ever growing demands placed on our time in the modern world. You leave church on Sunday, inspired to have the very best of intentions as you plan to wake up early and read your Bible every day this next week. And then someone gets sick, an alarm doesn't get set, a school project is left to do until late into the evening hours, and, before you know it, Sunday has arrived once again and your Bible sits exactly where you dropped it last Sunday after church, unopened the entire week.

I wish I could offer you a simple, 3 step plan to eliminating distractions from your life but, unfortunately, the most effective plan is also the least practical. Not many of us can drop everything, cut ourselves off form the world, and go live as a cloistered nun or monk. Life very simply doesn't allow for such luxuries.

What can offer you is encouragement and a reminder that you are not alone. Find someone you can sync with and hold each other accountable to making your relationship with God your #1 priority. Take it one step, one day at a time. Give yourself grace for when you mess up and be patient with yourself as you figure out what works best for you. It will take some time but as you find your rhythm, you'll find that sitting feet of Jesus really is the best place to spend the most important minutes of your day.

Follow UP

The theme verse to go along with this idea is Hebrews 12:1b-2a You can hear it set to music by checking out the video below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STciicfc1pQ