Distractions

I stumbled into the kitchen for my first-morning cup of coffee. I had high aspirations of a good cup of coffee and time to sit at the feet of my Lord. While looking for my favorite mug, I noticed the dishwasher needed emptying. I decided to go ahead and unload the clean dishes. Then the dirty cup and bowl in the sink had to be moved into the dishwasher. I found myself loading up the dirty dishes for future cleaning. Noticing a few crumbs on the counter, I grab a dishrag to wipe all counters clean. Then decided to throw the dish rag into the morning wash. I went to gather the laundry to create a full load. One chore led to another; and the many distractions kept me from the feet of my Lord. Can you relate?

Friend, what is one to do, when she wants to sit and savor her Savior but the day is full of distractions?

I have been challenged by the posture of Mary in Scripture. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, is mentioned three times in the Bible. All three times she positioned herself at the feet of her Lord. Life’s distractions did not stop her from sitting with Her Savior. Mary sat at His feet, poured perfume on His feet, and bowed at His feet. Her story challenges me to do the same. Her posture preached her sermon.

First in Luke 10:38-43, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (NIV)

Mary quietly seized a moment to be with her Lord, even when there was work to be done. Mary found peace in His presence while Martha was worried and upset. Mary chose His presence before the pressing check-list. She listened to His words. Mary chose ‘the better thing.” Someone once said, “Sit before you serve.”

Secondly, Mary bowed at Jesus’s feet after Lazarus died. She left the Jews who came to her home to give comfort to go meet the Comforter. When she saw Jesus, Mary fell at His feet. John 11: 1 – 44 records the story, but verse 32 reads, “When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at his feet.” While facing the distraction of a tragedy, Mary knew where to go. She went to her Jesus.

Thirdly, in John 12:1-8, Mary poured perfume on her Lord’s feet and dried His feet with her hair.

“Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.” (NIV)

The disciples had questions and accusations, while Mary positioned herself at the feet of her Lord. She demonstrated an act of love for her King. She took a posture of worship. Mary was intentional. Mary placed herself in His presence with a posture of worship even with life’s distractions around her. Jesus said that she anointed His feet for His burial. No one else seemed to have that insight, not even His inner circle.

Friend, today I am challenged by the posture of Mary. We can choose the better thing as well. Distractions have no power over us as we place ourselves before Him. Don’t let the crazy of your day, keep you from His Presence. Honestly, those dirty dishes can wait and you and I will be better because of it.