Distracted?
Pastor Jason Distractions. They are a daily part of life. Sometimes I get frustrated by distractions. Other times I am so tired of the daily routine that I crave a good distraction. How about you?
Distractions can be harmful or useful.They are harmful when…
- a lifeguard at a pool filled with children gets distracted,
- a truck driver gets distracted on the interstate,
- a parent with small children at the mall gets distracted.
They can be useful when used by…
- A ski instructor to coax a student down a mountain,
- a mother trying to pull a splinter from her child’s finger,
- an engineer who’s stuck on a problem and needs a break, or
- politicians who don’t want to talk about the real issues (wait…maybe that is a harmful example!)
Either way, our world is well versed in distractions. in fact, life today seems to be more and more a series of distractions:
- Social media such as Facebook all too easily distract us for hours
- Books and magazines pull our attention through stories both fictional and real
- Newspapers and news stations distract us with the latest tragedy whether local, national or global
- Our phones and iPads and computers all to easily distract us with solitaire, angry birds, sudoku or any other of the thousands of games specifically designed to suck us in
- Our community activities distract us from our families, our children and grandchildren
- Children distract us from our worries and care…and sometimes our work
- Work all too often distracts us from the most meaningful and purposeful parts of our lives
Honestly, distractions seem to be this unending cycle that keeps us from really knowing who we are, whose we are, and what life is ultimately about.
Remember the story of Mary and Martha? (Read it here.) You know what that story is about? It’s not about working in the kitchen versus sitting at the feet of Jesus (though many try to make it about work vs. worship). It’s not about one sister being better than the other. It’s about distractions. Remember this important verse:
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. (Luke 10:40)
Jesus realizes Martha’s distraction. And he points it out. But notice pay attention to what Martha actually says:
“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
Martha’s distraction is not so much her kitchen work as it is her focus on what her sister, Mary, is and isn’t doing. From Martha’s perspective, Mary should be helping her with her task. Perhaps she saw her task as more important and felt Mary was being lazy. Perhaps she simply wanted help and was frustrated that Mary was paying attention to Jesus and not to her need for assistance. Whatever the exact case, Martha’s focus is on Mary instead of the gifts and skills which she is using to care for Jesus.
What about you? Do you find yourself distracted by what others are and are not doing? …maybe at your job, in your family, with your friends, somewhere you volunteer, when you watch the news or read the paper?
Martha’s encounter with Jesus reminds us to focus on what we have to offer, not what others are doing. For you and I do not know the real reasons and motivations behind others. We can only truly know ourselves. And accepting yourself – your gifts, your skills, your abilities, your talents – is always the best place to start. Just give what you have to God in service of God’s children and you will find yourself smiling at the feet of Jesus.
If you missed Sunday’s Sermon or want to hear it again, read or listen here: Fathers: How Good Men Can Change the World
Sunday Morning Small Group Series – Half Truths
We are exploring the truth behind common sayings, such as Everything Happens for a Reason, God’s Helps Those Who Helps Themselves, and Love the Sinner Hate the Sin. They sound Christian – like something you might find in the Bible. We’ve all heard them. Maybe we’ve even said them. They capture some element of truth, yet they miss the point in important ways. Discover the whole truth by comparing Christian cliches with the wisdom found in Scripture.
Sunday Mornings from 9:45 – 10:30 am
This Week at Hood
Wednesday, June 20, no Prayer & Inspiration
Wednesday, June 20, 6:00 pm – “Young-ish” Small Group Meeting
Sunday, June 24, 11:00 am – Worship – Faces of Our Faith: Deborah (Judges 8 & 9); Special Guest Musician playing handbells, Fellowship Lunch & fundraiser immediately following worship-Sub Sandwich bar
Upcoming Events
Monday, June 25th-Women’s Circles Meeting, Salad Bar dinner
Saturday, July 7th-4th of July Celebration at the Lashmit Lakehouse