Big Dinner Planner

One way to defeat you is to distract you.

As one pastor said, “If the enemy can’t destroy you, he will distract you.”

Meaning this: Whether it is the deep dark sin or hours on Netflix, the results are the same. If it distracts you from being faithful to your calling, the enemy wins. Now, don’t hear what I am not saying. There is nothing wrong or sinful about watching Netflix. I mean, my wife and I watch Netflix all the time! Have you seen the Redeem Team documentary? So good!

Anyway, the point is, what will help you win in this new year and grow in intimacy with Christ is more about being aware of what is distracting you from your purpose.

The passage from Luke 10 is a great reminder for us:

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.

- Luke 10:38-40a (NLT)

Let’s pause here to remember and respect Martha and her heart. She went first and committed to putting a big dinner together. I mean, come on, she deserves all the applause. This past November, I was in charge of organizing Friendsgiving, and if it weren’t for the help of many people, the big dinner would’ve been broke! What Martha was doing was commendable.

However, the Bible notes she was distracted. So let’s continue to the next verse.

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 10:40b-42 (NLT)

I know what some of you are thinking. Wait a minute, for real, Mary just sat at Jesus’ feet, but Martha was preparing to feed Jesus. Wasn’t Martha thinking about the bigger picture? What would we do without people like her who are willing to step in and set up big dinners? (for real, we really need people like that!)

This is where Jesus is so counter-cultural. Jesus is saying to Martha, and to some of us: Yes, what you do in life matters. What you do for me matters. But, what I care more deeply about is who you do it for. The key word in the text we read was when Martha said, “my sister just sits here while ‘I’ do all the work.”

The lesson for us is this…

Jesus is saying: Yes, work matters, and doing things for your neighbor, community, and church matters. But don’t get distracted by others when your focus must be on Jesus. As you go to work today, remember that you are there for Jesus, not your supervisor. You are there to represent Jesus, not get a paycheck. When you go home to your spouse, remember that Jesus is present in your marriage. That marriage is to picture Christ, not to get what you want.

One way to defeat you is to distract you.

I pray that today, by the grace of God, you will be less distracted and focused more on Christ.

Father God, it is very easy to be sidetracked by the work we have to do, or the money we need to make, or the chores we need to accomplish. We need You. Help us to focus on You. May Jesus be ever present in our hearts and lives. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.  

Pastor Sean

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