August 19, 2010
TOO BUSY FOR GOD?
Luke 10:38-42
Robbin Dzina
Central Truth
Our relationship with Christ should be our priority, not our to-do list.
Key Verse | Luke 10:41–42
But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42)
Luke 10:38-42
Martha and Mary
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus 1 10:38 Greek he entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. 2 10:42 Some manuscripts few things are necessary, or only one Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Dive Deeper | Luke 10:38-42
Does anyone else relate to Martha in this passage? Boy, I do! Far too often, I find myself caught up in my to-do list and doing all the tasks on it, and I miss spending time with my heavenly Father. Much like Martha, I become consumed with the details, get distracted, and neglect that which is truly important. I make commitments at church, with friends and family, and in our community that are good, but cause me to neglect time sitting at the feet of the Lord and listening to His teaching as Mary did.
While we all are called to serve, God also wants us to be still (Psalm 46:10), set priorities, and be disciplined so we put Him first in our daily lives—not just trying to fit Him in when it is convenient. God wants us to know Him and make Him known, but we cannot make known that which we do not know.
God often uses my children to get my attention. When one of them asks me to read a story or play a game, and I am too distracted about checking the items off my to-do list, I am missing an opportunity to know my children and allow them to know me. God desires for me (and you) to really know Him, and we can only do that by spending time with Him.
Discussion Questions
1. When was the last time you spent quality time with the Lord?
2. What in your day is keeping you from spending time with God?
3. Are you so busy doing things for Jesus that you're not spending time with Him?
4. What good things in your day need to be changed so you can do great things for Jesus?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What was keeping Martha from listening to Jesus’ teaching?
2. Which was more important in Jesus’ mind, the details of the meal or spending time with Him? Do you spend more time with Jesus or more time worrying about the details of your day—school, homework, sports, music, or video games!
3. How can you make time with God more important in your life?