There are a lot of musicals that I love. My favorite is Hamilton. But right up there are “Les Miserables,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” and Wicked.
I’ve had the chance to see “Fiddler” a couple of times live with Topol, including his farewell tour.
But one things is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.
Luke 10:42
It was fantastic!
One of the great songs in that musical is “If I Were a Rich Man.” Some of the lyrics go:
If I were rich, I’d have the time that I lack
To sit in the synagogue and pray
And maybe have a seat by the eastern wall
And I’d discuss the holy books with the learned men
Seven hours every day
And that would be the sweetest thing of all
Some feel that this is what pastors get to do all day.
That would be wonderful!
The reality is that pastors, like all of us, have many distractions that pull us from the “one things…necessary” that is “the good portion” (Luke 10:42).
In our text for today, Martha gets a bad rap. The inevitable question comes: “If Martha (and others like her) didn’t deal with everything, how would the get done?”
Jesus doesn’t answer that. He also doesn’t say what Martha is doing in unimportant. In fact, the only way He addresses her is that she is “anxious and troubled by many things” (Luke 10: 41) and earlier the text says she was “distracted” (Luke 10: 40). But the problem isn’t the items needing to get done. The issue is that Mary has chosen that which is the toip, best, most important thing. She sees the priority of things.
There will always be distractions and things to get done, but when we have – and take – that opportunity to grow in our relationship to God, grow in our faith, grow in the Word, we need to take it! (And address the other items another time.)
The fact is, we usually elevate the importance of these other matters and devalue items relating to our faith. We usually use the “distractions” as a convenient way to say “we’re too busy” to be in communion with God and take time in the Word.
The issue is seldom the other matters. The issue is what we value; what we spend our time on; what we choose with our time. The issue is whether we truly see Jesus as “the good portion,” at the expense of all else.
What are the distractions in your life causing you anxiety and keeping you from Him, the “good portion?” What will you do by the Holy Spirit to put away the distractions and focus on Him?
“Lord, grant that we put away all distractions and focus on growing closer to You, for Your desire is for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Scriptures
- Luke 10:38-42
- Psalm 27:1-4
