Pursuing one thing

Luke 10:38-42.

Have you ever had one of those busy and exhausting days when, in the end, you didn't do the main thing(s) you had set out to do? Distractions are inevitable, aren't they?

In the passage in Luke 10, Jesus deals with the issue of distractions.

How does Jesus see distractions? As things that could quickly spiral into sin if not dealt with (v40-42).

Martha starts off being distracted (v40), then got worried and upset (v41) and lost sight of the "one thing" needed (v42). From distractions to worries to idolatry - a dangerous spiral. And this shows how distractions and the things we worry about can often become the centre of our lives.

But good news! Jesus offers a solution to distractions and worries. His Presence (the one thing, v42).

In response to Martha, Jesus points to Mary's choice - which was to draw close to Him, "listening to what He says" (v39,42). We can always come to Jesus and find peace and rest (Matthew 11:28).

Reflect & Pray

How can the words of Jesus in verse 42 (and Matthew 6:33,34) help you guard against distractions/worries?

Loving Father, thank You that we find rest in You. Help us remember to always run to You.

God bless you exceedingly,
Sam.

God’s mercy: sovereign over all

Jonah 1:1-16. I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas break. Happy New Year! Have you ever had one of those sat-nav moments where no matter how far off course you go, it keeps rerouting and repeating “make a u-turn.” That’s the story of Jonah. God sends him north-east to Nineveh, but Jonah heads west to Joppa instead. And the book shows us something remarkable: God’s response to people on the wrong route isn’t abandonment, but mercy. Like a sat-nav, He keeps rerouting and calling us back to Himself. Jonah takes us on a journey into the nature of God’s mercy. In today’s passage, as we see the striking stubbornness of Jonah toward God, we begin to see the saving sovereignty of God’s mercy. In spite of Jonah’s refusal of God’s directive, God is still in control. He commands and can change all things (Ps 148:5, Jer 32:17). ...

The Birth that affects everyone

Luke 2:10-15. (The message of the angel to the shepherds). When a baby is born, people celebrate, send gifts, and travel from all over to see the baby. And it can be pretty expensive for those of us with siblings all over. Often, when we see the baby, we make physical remarks like: “Oh, she’s got a round head like her dad”, or “his eyes are like his mum’s,” or “the baby’s so cute”, or “isn’t it lovely that she sleeps a lot”. All these remarks are not remarks of expectation. We’re not expecting anything from the baby for ourselves, let alone for everyone; that would be odd. But many years ago, a baby was born, and an angel appeared to some shepherds, informing them that this birth had implications for all people (v10). This birth affects everyone, you and me, both in this life and in the next. What did th...

God’s response to repentance is great joy

Luke 15. (The Parables of the Lost…Sheep, Coin and Son). The three parables were Jesus’ response to a criticism from the Pharisees. They saw that tax collectors and sinners gathered around Jesus, and that He welcomed and ate with them (v1-2). And Jesus likened the tax collectors and sinners who had gathered around Him to something important that was lost (v3-32). Can you recall a time you lost something important? I once arrived at the airport and realised my passport wasn’t in my jacket. I thought, could I have forgotten it? In the middle of the check-in area, with everyone stirring, I emptied my hand luggage; my clothes, bank cards, documents, laptop, and everything else were scattered all over the place. I finally found my passport, which I had hurriedly packed with my clothes. Out of excitement, I yelled, “Yes, found it!” A few people began ...

A Devotional Life

Search This Blog