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Distracted Busy or Mindful Busy?

  • February 25, 2022
Picture of Dr. Randy Carlson

Dr. Randy Carlson

In a previous blog, Moments Matter, we looked at Martha and Mary’s story — a sibling moment that illustrates the power of moments. Let’s peek over the shoulder of Luke as if he looks into the window of a home (Luke 10:38-41).

These two ladies are hosting Jesus and the disciples in their home. Mary had a propensity to be very present for her moments of life, but Martha was distracted with much serving (Luke 10:40). And she asked Jesus, “Don’t you care that my sister left me to do everything?”

Jesus responded to Martha and identified the critical difference between busy and distracted. Only one thing is needed right now. Mary chose to embrace the moment (Luke 10:42).

1. Distracted Busy

Martha is the poster child for busy distracted. She was very frustrated. Martha is busy in the moment.
I’ve got to clean those dishes; I got to serve these people. But she didn’t have the intention clear in her head. The reason for the moment was very unclear.

For whatever reason, God thought it was important to share this story of Martha having wrong goals at that moment.

When you’re busy and distracted with the wrong things you can feel like a victim. You’re worried, tired, focused on the urgent but not the important – the short term instead of the long-term things in your life.

2. Mindful Busy

Martha was lost in that moment. Mary sat in the moment at the feet of Jesus doing the best part.
I wonder if five years later, those two sisters talked about that day Jesus was in their house. Did Martha have any regrets?

A mindful busy is you’re tired at the end of the day, but you’re passionate. You’re really focusing on what’s most important and what’s urgent. It’s easy to focus on urgent things. They’re right in front of you. Like a burning bush, you have to deal with it right now.

Intentional living in Christ is knowing what’s most important in the moments of your life and then doing the next right thing every day. Yes, we’re going to have good days and bad days, days. We’ll all make good decisions and bad decisions. We all have those stupid moments in our lives.

  • Your marriage is won or lost in the moments of your relationship.
  • Your finances are won or lost in the moments of the financial decisions you make with how you handle money.
  • Your health is determined by the choices you make about it.
    1. What do you need to be more intentional with in your life?
    2. Then do that ONE THING in the moments of your life to fulfill that intention for God’s glory and for your benefit.

Make the moments in your life matter and celebrate each one.

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