[5 Conversations With Christ] Distractions Sample

Choosing the Mary Mode 

We crave distraction, because it can keep us from dealing with deeper issues. A settled heart is a scary place to be. Without distractions, I have to deal with that relationship issue, with that pride, with my brother or my sister. It could be uncomfortable. I’d rather stay distracted. 

In Hamilton, the play, Alexander Hamilton has been writing like there’s no tomorrow. He’s been writing, running, getting things done. Finally, he stops and realizes there’s more to life. In a song called “It's Quiet Uptown,” Hamilton says, “I spend hours in the garden,” he says, “I walk alone to the store. It's quiet uptown. I never liked the quiet before. I take the children to church on Sunday, a sign of the cross at the door, and I pray—that never used to happen before.” He finally slows down.  

That's Martha. She finally slows down. Look at verse 39: “She had a sister named Mary, who also…” I like that little word, also, because it means that Martha also gets to sit at the Lord's feet. Her sister had been listening to Jesus.  

How can we live in a Mary mode, worshipping the Lord? Will we fret, or rest before Him? Here's the deal. One thing was chosen. Mary made the right choice. It is a choice.  

Going on sabbatical, it took me about 10 days to simmer down. It’s a choice to take your hand off the wheel. There will be a buzz in your heart, a frantic sense you must keep things moving. Do you ever find that when you sit, you keep tapping? Or when you’re on the phone, you pace? It is a choice to sit down, get out your Bible, put in your headphones and worship. It’s a choice to not do other things, and do the one thing that is necessary.  

Mary chose to be still, to listen. She chose relationship over task, worship over worry, surrender over stress, unhurried over upset, sitting over fretting. We have to make the choice. 

Lord, help me choose to spend time with You.