Distractions
Pastor Andre Dove
I’ve come realize on this journey with God, we encounter and endure
many things. But these things have come into our lives strategically
to deter us from focusing on what God has called us to do. And I hope
it’s not our endeavor to yield or give up when these things come.
Whatever challenges you are enduring just know they’re simply
distractions. Distractions come in many forms such as: mental,
physical, spiritual, and monetary just to name some. But we must
believe the Sovereign Lord has an intended purpose for everything he
allows in our lives. There’s a familiar passage in Romans 8:28 ESV
which says “And we know that for those who love God all things work
together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
The biblical account of Mary and Martha addresses this issue of being
distracted and it points out God’s desire for us if we have allowed
distractions to consume our thoughts and our actions. This passage in
Luke 10:38-42 says “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a
village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And
she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened
to his teaching. 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. But the Lord
answered her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many
things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion,
which will not be taken away from her.” In our attempt not to be
distracted; I believe the passage raises three principles to help us
on this journey.
The first principle needed to overcome these distractions in our life
is: welcome God into your house. As sojourners in a foreign land, we
are commanded to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who
have not heard it which means we must be missionaries in our home, on
our jobs, in groceries stores, in churches, and surrounding
communities; with that being said, we must balance our time as not to
be inundated with the service or work of God that we forget to take
time to welcome him into our house. Secondly, the passage says Mary
sat at the foot of Jesus and listened to his teaching. The next
principle needed is: worship God as his disciple. It’s paramount as
believers that we need to mimic Mary’s posture. Worshiping God has
been relegated to an event which takes place during the music segment
in our respective services on Sunday and during the week. But worship
is a lifestyle that incorporates prayer, personal devotion,
witnessing, fellowshipping with believers, and most importantly
hearing the preached word. The fact that Mary is receiving one on
one teaching from Jesus as a woman was uncommon in that day. But how
awesome was it for her to relinquish all her worries and
responsibilities and solely focus on Jesus and what he had to say.
Beloved when we worship we are also acknowledging God for who is. If
you’re in need, then worship him as Yahweh Jireh (The God who
provides); if you need him to defeat the enemy in your life, then
worship him as Yahweh-Nissi (The Lord my banner); and if you need
peace, then worship him as Yahweh Shalom (The Lord my peace). These
redemptive names of God will enable us to see him as he is and help us
to be an overcomer. Finally, the third principle is: worry minimizes
the main point. One of the greatest tactics the enemy uses is worry
because if he can get the believer to focus on something other than
God, then he wins. Matthew 6:25-34 declares to us that worrying will
not benefit us, instead he says “but seek first the kingdom of God and
his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Ultimately, this works when we look at these three principles in
reverse. When I stop worrying, then I worship and when I worship,
then I welcome God into my house. In conclusion; Got distractions?
|