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The Big Deal

November 26, 2012

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” Luke 10:38-40

ONE THING IS NECESSARY. When Jesus visited these sisters we see two different reactions to His presence. Mary was restful and receptive to whatever He had to say. Martha was distracted by trying to serve Him. Mary was getting clarity and peace, but Martha got caught up in worry. When Martha asks Jesus to correct Mary, He addresses the real problem by telling her that only one thing is necessary.

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

FIGHT FOR THE PRIMARY THING. It’s critical to get in the secret place. Martha was caught in the momentum of all the busyness and missed what Mary was receiving from Jesus. The weapons of mass distraction are aimed at our time of receptivity and rest because that is where we get charged and renewed. That’s why we’ve got to fight to keep the primary thing the primary thing.

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. Psalm 27:4

SET YOUR MIND ON JESUS. Prioritization is easier said than done. Often the urgent is also important. But you can start by taking—as Pastor Chuck Swindoll calls them—“minute vacations” with God. Sing praises to Him. If you wake up in the middle of the night, pray.
Go outside and look at the moon while it’s waxing and waning. Look at the stars and think, “I know the One who named those things.” It’s not mystical. Time with God is where you receive direction and clarity. It’s where you get the answers to the problems you’re facing.

If you’ve been distracted away from the primary thing—connection to Jesus—today is a new day! You can start fresh. Talk to Him. Open your Bible. Meditate. Smile at Him. He loves that stuff. Fix your heart on Jesus. Because when you draw near to God, He draws near to you every time (James 4:8).

The best is yet to come,
Pastor Jeff

But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6

Copyright © 2012 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.