Distracted - Martin Wiles

But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. Luke 10:40 NLT

Beauty surrounded them, but they didn’t see it.

My wife and I were keeping our daughter’s two sons while she was on a four-day cruise. Needing to get them some fresh air, we decided to take them to Star Fort, a nearby national historic site. A paved trail winds through woods and the battlefield and would give the boys enough space to romp and roam, while learning about history and nature at the same time.

After our walk, we rested at the picnic area. The boys played with the two toys they had brought along. I decided to re-walk the trail while they rested—only this time I’d do it in quiet. As I strolled along, I passed a number of individuals.

With the exception of two of the people I passed, they all had one thing in common: heads tilted downward. They didn’t even look up when I passed them so I could speak to them. And I didn’t force a “Hello” since I didn’t want to interrupt what they were doing.

What interested them so much was a smartphone. I wondered why they decided to take a trip into nature if they didn’t plan to enjoy it. Beauty and history surrounded them, but a device distracted them.

Mary didn’t have a device, but something did distract her. She, her sister, and her brother were good friends of Jesus. During one of His visits, Mary sat at His feet, listening to Him talk. Martha, on the other hand, let preparing the meal distract her. When she complained to Jesus about her sister’s inconsideration, Jesus told her Mary had chosen the more important thing.

Martha reminds me of my mother in the days when she cooked family meals. The preparation and serving distracted her too. Most of the family had finished eating before she ever sat to join us in conversation. She mimicked her mother, who did the same.

Getting distracted by unimportant things in life comes easily if we don’t intentionally set priorities and goals. Technology makes getting distracted even easier, but distractions happened long before the new inventions and the busyness of life they have brought.

Loving God solely and our neighbors unconditionally have always been the greatest priorities. Anything that prevents doing so is classified a distraction and will lead us to look in the wrong directions and miss out on the best in life.

Don’t let distractions keep you from enjoying the most important things in life.

Prayer: Father, keep us focused on the most important things so distractions won’t steal our focus.

Tweetable: What things distract you and why?

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Running by Faith - Martin Wiles

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

The steps came at him faster than I could get to him.

My wife and I and two of our grandboys were out for a visit to Star Fort in Ninety Six, South Carolina—the site of an American Revolutionary War battle. As we walked onto the battlefield, we were met by a small overlook tower. Our oldest grandson, Levi—now three and excitable—wanted to climb the steps to take a look. Since the steps weren’t steep, I gave him the go-ahead.

When I finished giving him a rundown of the battle and answering his questions, he was ready to walk the trail across the battlefield. A little too ready. He forgot he couldn’t run down steps as he could on level ground. Halfway down, he stumbled and fell face forward down several steps. I hollered for him to hold on as I tried to pick up my pace and rescue him.

Fortunately, he only received a wood burn. After a few minutes of crying, he was off to the next “clue”—as he called it, which told him more about the battle.

The apostle Paul walked by faith and said all believers do as well. But I often have the same trouble my grandson did. I want to run by faith when I need to slow down and walk. When I do, I fall down the steps and have a number of things potentially happen.

When I run by faith, I get ahead of God. As Sarah and Abraham did when they tried to hurry up God’s plan to give them a promised son.

Running by faith can cause me to outpace my spiritual maturity level. I may think I’m ready for God’s next assignment when I’m really not.

Running by faith leads to too much dependence on self. I forget I need God in every detail of my life. There is nothing I can truly handle by myself without making a mess of it.

When I try to run by faith, I often fall into sin, disobedience, and manipulative behavior. All of these actions will interfere with God’s guidance of my life.

Experiencing any of these hurts that come from trying to run by faith can make me bitter, angry, and frustrated—none of which will enhance my faith walk.

Don’t run by faith; just settle for walking.

Prayer: Father, hold us closely as we walk with You by faith. 

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