Distractions

When Jesus arrived at certain unnamed village, the Scripture says, "...a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home."   (Luke 10:38)  It was apparently something she was not required to do, but something she chose to do.  To read other sections of Scripture is to see that there was a special relationship which existed between Jesus and Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.  On this occasion it appears that Martha welcomed Jesus, but then got so distracted with the stuff of her life that she was living as if He was not in her home.      

Before we  become too critical of Martha, we need to realize that what she did is something many of us have been guilty of doing.  How many times have we rolled out the welcome mat and then go on with our stuff as if He had not been invited into our lives?  This is not the way we treat guests in our home.  Long years ago I made a conscious decision to invite Jesus into my life, but honesty requires confessing that I have not always lived with Him in a way that would make Him feel welcomed.  

Like Martha we get distracted.  It is easy to do.  Saying it is easy does not excuse the way we sometimes relate to Jesus; instead, it is simply acknowledging what happens.  Distractions speak of misplaced priorities.  Distractions speak of a loss of attentiveness to the present.  On that night long ago, and on many other nights through the years, I said one thing about how much I desired for Jesus to abide in and with me, but surely there have been afterward moments when He must have shaken His head in disappointment.