I was reading the story of Mary and Martha in the gospel of Luke. The familiar story of how Martha is busying herself around the house while her sister Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus intently listening to all He has to say. Martha wishes that her sister would help her with the dinner preparations and so she complains to Jesus about Marys actions.

Jesus responds… “Martha, My beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these distractions? Are they really that important? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing the most beautiful place of sitting at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her”.  Luke 10 v 41 – 42 TPT

I just love how Jesus responds to her with gentleness. He is calling her out on her focus and priorities but He does it from a place of love.

Martha had been distracted. She was so focused on preparing the house and preparing food for the guests that she had forgotten who she was entertaining. She had taken her eyes off Jesus and focused on the other things around her.

Mary had recognized the importance of this occasion. Jesus, the Son of God, was in their home and there was no other place that she would rather be than sitting at His feet. She had chosen the most beautiful place to be, in His presence, listening to all He had to say.

What is distracting you from spending time in His presence? From just sitting at His feet and listening to His voice?

Spending time in the presence of God is one of my soul anchors, it is one of the things that I have to do to get me through. It is where I hear directly from God, He fills me with love and strength and inspires me to keep going and growing.

I can usually tell when I have neglected to spend time in His presence. I start to lose my way a bit and I begin to feel overwhelmed with all that is going on in my life. I begin to lose focus, lose hope and lose heart with my journey. I can get hung up on silly things and I also find that I become easily offended.

I have simply taken my eyes of Jesus and become distracted with all that is going on around me. I can hear Jesus gently saying to me Marieka, my beloved Marieka. Come and sit at my feet, the most beautiful place to be. I will take care of all that is going on around you so do not be distracted. I simply ask you to come, listen and be filled once again.

Jesus, help me to live a life focused on you, in your presence, listening to what you are saying and being obedient to what you are asking. Help me to understand what is important and free me from distractions that lead me away from you. You are worthy of my love and focus Jesus. Amen.