Overwhelmed or Overflowing?

Brad Jones joins us for another week of The One Thing, sharing the story of Martha and Mary and encouraging us to reflect on our own tendency to live distracted rather than devoted as disciples of Christ.

We used to answer the question, "How are you?" with an instinctive, "good." But these days, the answer to that question is often, "busy."

We are living of busy, fully-scheduled, stressed out individuals. We make plans with friends weeks away and treat our Google Calendars as if it's the Bible.

This way of operating isn't what God wants for us. He has given us hope—Himself.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:14

Are you overwhelmed by stressed or overflowing with hope?

Read Luke 10:38-42.

Here are our few takeaways from this text:

1. God goes where He is wanted.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

Luke 10:38-39

Mary wanted to hear what Jesus had to say.

Do we give God space in our lives to even hear what He has to say? Or are we so distracted by the things of this world that we don't give Him any margin to speak?

2. It's easy to lose sight of what matters.

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Luke 10:40

Martha was overly busy and distracted in the presence of Jesus, leading her to feel bitter and angry.

Have you ever felt like Martha?

Maybe you're rushing around your kitchen to get dinner ready while your partner reads a story from the Bible aloud with your kids, disdain pouring out of you with every clean dish placed on the drying rack beside you.

Maybe you're setting up an elaborate birthday party for a friend leading you to cancel on Bible study for the fourth time.

Maybe you're working such long hours that you no longer have time for your time with Him in the morning.

Maybe you're showing up to church early everyday and going above and beyond in your ministry, but you haven't studied Scripture in months.

We can be doing a lot for Jesus and in the name of Jesus, but our hearts can drift from Him and this is a dangerous place to be.

God doesn't want you so distracted that you miss Him.

3. Jesus has compassion for us.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 39:41-42

This likely wasn't the response Martha wanted. But in loving concern, Jesus says her name twice. He knew her efforts were hospitable, admirable, and noble. But He didn't want her to miss the one thing that she needs more than a clean kitchen or a tidy home: Himself.

His presence isn't a recommendation or encouragement—it's a requirement. We need Him. We cannot live without Him.

God doesn't just want your work, He wants your heart. He desires your attention and affection.

4. We can choose what is better.

Have you chosen what is better?

Out of everything in your busy day—dropping your kids off at school, going to work, exercising, getting eight hours of sleep, etc.—your time spent setting at the feet of Jesus is the most important.

If you want to be a better friend, employee, spouse, or parent, you need to choose Jesus first.

The one thing we need more than anything (Jesus) is often the one thing we ignore.

Read Psalm 25:1-5

So where do we go from here?

1. We prioritize the Word.

2. We plan to read the Word.

3. We practice the Word.

In a busy and distracted world, we choose Him above all else.