Slow Your Roll

It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle that we lose sight of what is real, the big picture, the life that is passing us by. We allow everything in our lives to distract us. And we lie to ourselves thinking that doing more will help us slowdown in other areas, but the reality is we never slow down. We just surrender ourselves to the grind.

There was a moment in Jesus life when he was setting down to a meal with some of his family and friends and as the women were prepping the meal and setting the table and scurrying around the house trying their best to be good hostesses to the people that have gathered there. On this occasion there were two women that were supposed to be doing this work. One was doing more than the other. She was working her tail off and the other was chillaxin’ at the feet of Jesus, reclined at the table with everyone else.

Now I remember being a kid with a kid brother who I thought always got his way and was babied by my mom and dad. I felt quite often, like I was having to do more work than him and he would just play Houdini or always goof off while I’m working to honor my dad’s wishes and/or instructions. It wasn’t fair, or it, at the very least, didn’t feel fair.

This is what is happening here in this story. In Luke 10:38-42 we see that Martha is so distracted with the work that she doesn’t even see that the most important and best thing that could ever have happened to her was in her presence, in her house. Mary wasn’t being rude or disrespectful by being with Jesus. She was just focused on what was important, what mattered most. Martha lost sight of that. She was wound so tight that she couldn’t see that stopping and focusing on Jesus was far more important and mattered more than what someone thinks about her ability to host a party. She failed to realize that even though stuff still needs done and we still have responsibilities, Jesus matters more and slowing down and shifting our focus toward him, often makes life more efficient and more productive. When we are focused on Jesus and serving him with our life, we accomplish far more than when we do not. This is true in every area of our life. Whether it is in our relationships, our work ethic, our business dealings, our finances, our (you fill in the blank), if done with Jesus in mind and his Spirit in control, guiding us in all things; it can’t have anything but the absolute best outcome. Slow your roll and follow his lead.