We rearrange, reschedule, and shift. We make "to-do" lists, buy planners, and mark calendars. We have apps on our phones and computers reminding us of things we need to do, places we need to be, and with whom all of this is to be done. We make the necessary adjustments to be, well...available.
However, when we arrive at the appointment, date, or meeting are we really there? Or are we so consumed by what must be done that we inadvertently miss what’s right in front us? Are we available or are we just present? Are we simply giving off the illusion of availability?
Let's take a look at a passage of scripture found in Luke 10:38-42. The text albeit short in length gives much to digest. I would like for us to look at this text through the lens of distractions and availability. So put on your glasses and let's go!
Luke 10:38-42 (NLT):
38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
There are a few things that are going on here so let's break them down:
Jesus' arrival
When Jesus arrived He became the guest and an opportunity. The ability to interact with Jesus was the same for each woman, he was available to both of them. However, although both were present yet only one was available; it was a choice to treat Jesus' arrival as an ordinary occurrence or an extraordinary opportunity.
The way in which we acknowledge the Lord is important. Do not be so comfortable in the way that He has shown up or done something before that it doesn't cause you to shift your attention and posture when he arrives.
I sense that the Lord is saying that He is getting ready to do a new thing. Get ready. He said become available because I am about to move.
Martha & Mary's Response
Before we unpack their responses we have to talk about perception. This is important to note because how one perceives a situation determines their steps. For example, if someone views a glass of water as half empty they are more inclined to fill the glass to avoid running out; whereas someone who views the same glass of water as half full may conclude that there is enough water for what they need.
Now on to their responses...
The text tells us that "Martha welcomed him into her home" but was "distracted by the big dinner she was preparing". In this case, it appeared that Martha was available through the initial welcome; but based on moves alone (the step taken), Martha determined that focusing on the task at hand was both important and necessary. However, in doing so, that same task of dinner preparations became the distraction which altered the way she perceived the environment she was in and revealed that she was merely present but not available.
** I want to be clear, having plans, lists, meetings, appointments and simply put-things to do etc. are not distractions in themselves. However, the Lord said to tell you that these things become distractions when prioritized ahead of His presence, when He steps into the room and you still choose the former. **
With that said, if we look at Mary's response through Martha's lens, Mary would have appeared to be just sitting; hence the reason Martha calls her out to Jesus saying “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” However, we know through text that Mary was not only sitting but "Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught". Mary decided in that moment that despite what was going on around her and what others were doing she was going to make Jesus her priority, Mary's response was a posture of availability.
If perception determines step then it would be wise to take a break from daily tasks to sit, receive, to obtain perspective, peace, strategy and so much more. When you sit at the Lord's feet it is not just to pour out but to be poured into as well.
What could you be exposing yourself to that you'd otherwise be made aware of if you would sit in the presence of God long enough to receive?
What personal preferences have been placed ahead of being in His presence?
Everything that you've allowed to have your attention doesn't need your attention.
** Before we get to Jesus' Response, may I submit to you for your consideration, (now this is just my observation of correlation through study time), that Luke 10:38-42 gives another illustration to what Jesus said in Matthew 26:41 when he said "...The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak"; if we use Martha and her actions (present but distracted) to illustrate the flesh and Mary and her actions (seated and available) to illustrate the spirit. Our spirit and flesh play a constant game of tug-of-war and until we allow our spirit to champion the game we will remain in a constant state of going back and forth. **
Jesus' Response
When we hear Jesus next he not only responds to Martha but calls her out by her priorities and hands her a pair of availability lenses to look through. "41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Boom.
There will be times when the Lord will ask you to move and need you to focus on the details and then there will be times when He will have you sit with your focus on Him but what I believe He desires to see regardless of which one He leads you to do is your, Availability.
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