This story unfolds in an intimate household scene. The dominant figure has a personality that pushes her to action. She is a get-it-done, speak-your-mind, take-the-lead kind of gal. She is generous, hospitable, hard-working, and eager to help. But she suffers from anxiety.

“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.” Luke 10:38-42

Here’s how I see the players in this household drama:
Martha
Distracted, side-tracked, distraught, upset, worried, anxious, disquieted, bothered, troubled, angry, comparing, poor me, victim, things are unfair, I got a raw deal, I’m right and she’s wrong, spewing accusations, demanding
Mary
Listening and engaged with Jesus, positive, full of faith, content, calm, hungry for Jesus, spiritual/eternal priorities
Jesus
Named, called out, brought to her attention, identified Martha’s state of mind. Calm, clearly stated facts, gentle, set boundaries, kindly corrected, reminded her that he is in charge, explained what’s important

I have an easily distracted brain! I quickly lose focus. Are you identifying?! Too often I get diverted from a spiritual exercise by perfectly good things. (At least that’s an improvement over diverting to food- oh, wait! I do that sometimes, too!). For instance, I’m motivated to clean, do laundry, cook, or trim the dogs to escape the hard spiritual work of writing this blog. But diverting has its own set of problems. While going in a different direction, part of my brain is working on the blog. But often, that good idea I get flits out of my brain as quickly as it flitted in. And especially crippling is the emotional conflict I feel when in the escape mode. I know I should be focused on what’s important and not get sidetracked by lesser jobs. I feel unsettled and agitated knowing that the deadline is looming and I’m not where I should be. I’m pulled in different directions. I know what I should do but I’m not doing it. I’m choosing to put energy into less important things first instead of what has eternal value first. I’m anxious.  We all fight distractions when we try to take time to spend with God in prayer and Bible reading. It happens also when we should be spending time with family. Distractions steal from us what’s lasting and substitute what’s fleeting.

We all deal with distraction, so it seemed like a good time to call it out. Often naming it and identifying it helps us overcome it. Let me qualify what we’re talking about. There has to be time for work and for relaxation. But we’re talking here about setting aside time for communing with God without getting sidetracked. So here is a short list that should set off the alarms when we’re on dangerous ground when vital time with God or with family is being threatened.

My thoughts:
I’m allowing my thoughts to be diverted from what is most valuable
I’m majoring on the minors
I’m trying to do two things at once
I’m not giving my full attention to the most important thing. Hint: The most important thing is relationships (with people and God), but I’m burdened by other things that could be done later.

My feelings:
Upset
Anxious
Conflicted
Disturbed
Worried
Angry

My words:
Accusatory
Demanding
Blaming
Comparing
Poor me
Complaining

If we’re distracted- concerned about less important things instead of God and people, majoring on the minors, focusing on lesser things, (often good things), having a divided mind that is drawn in different directions, we’ll become upset, anxious, and troubled. These emotions spawn more negative emotions like feeling victimized and angry. We start comparing ourselves to others making ourselves the victim of an unfair situation. We got a raw deal. We have the high ground as a martyr and they’re wrong to treat us this way. They should be forced to do what we want. These negative emotions eventually come out of our mouths in accusatory, and demanding conversations. We can check this downward spiral by keeping our priorities pure. We are finite. We can’t do all we want or dream of. So let’s remember our Lord’s words and put first things (relationships) first.

Martha: “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.”

Jesus: “[Insert your name], you are worried and upset, anxious and troubled, distracted by many things. One thing is essential, important, necessary, needed. Mary [sitting at my feet listening] has chosen it, and it won’t be taken away from her.”

This week let’s not be distracted – even by good things, from time to focus on the important ones- God and people. There will still be time for work and relaxation.  (And we can pray, meditate, and even listen to Bible teaching while working.)  Mom’s of littles, or caregivers, don’t let this guilt you.  The Lord knows the demands on your time and hears your prayers while you care for your dear ones.  But do set aside time to go to church for teaching and fellowship.

P.S. Martha learned from this experience. Part of the last account of her in Scripture is a beautiful interaction between her and Jesus on the road approaching her home where she had hurried to meet him. Her brother had gotten sick and died. Although summoned, Jesus delayed coming. This delay didn’t fit Martha’s schedule/expectations. When he finally arrived, she once again complained to Jesus. “If only…” But she tempered her complaint with a statement of faith in his ability to fix the situation. Responding to her faith, right there on the road, Jesus explained deep truths to her because he saw deep down below the flurry her heart of faith. She quieted herself and listened closely to Jesus as he revealed who he is and what that meant in her life. His words to Martha are some of the most beloved of the faithful to this day.

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” John 11:25-27

P.P.S. Many, many thanks to our pastor, M. Hohbach, who taught us this passage and pointed out the interplay of distraction and anxiety.