September 1, 2010

Building Godly Character

Teenagers have a very hard time keeping focus. Half claim to have ADD, the other half are easily distracted. Boys are distracted by a pretty girl or a fast car. Girls are distracted by a cute guy or the latest jeans. We are distracted by computers, video games, friends, texting, shopping, dating, sports, movies, music, on and on it goes. How often do you find yourself needing to accomplish something but you just can’t make yourself do it. There are too many distractions. Our spiritual life is the same way. Our focus needs to be on Jesus, but too often it’s not. Our mind is here and there often on things that are important and valuable. Luke tells an account of two sisters, one had focus, one did not.

Luke 10:38-42 “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.”

Martha was doing good work but her focus was still not where it needed to be. Jesus, the very son of God, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Prince of Peace was sitting in her living room. She was too caught up in peeling carrots and baking a pie to notice who it was that was there. For most of us we spend far too much time doing and not enough time sitting at the feet of our Savior.  Sure we have responsibilities in this life, things that have to be done. We must also make sure our focus always stays on Jesus. You may find that you have more time to accomplish what you need to do after spending time with the one who created the universe and time itself. Keep your focus on Jesus.

Calvary Christian Center, Assemblies of God, Louisville, KY