Paying Attention

Paying Attention

Mary Of Bethany

Read: Luke 10:38-42

“You’re not listening to me!” Norma accused her husband as they sat at the kitchen table.

“Sure I am,” Chip protested, dropping the sports pages. Norma continued telling him her plans for the next day, but she noticed that his eyes had already slipped back toward the paper.

“Then I thought I would buy something in black leather so I can hitch a ride across the country with a guy on a Harley and join the circus. Does that sound like a good idea?”

“Sounds fine,” Chip mumbled.

Mary of Bethany was a better listener than Norma’s husband. She sat on the floor, gazing up at Jesus’ face and listening to him talk. How Mary must have loved these relaxed visits when she and her siblings had Jesus in their home, away from the noisy crowds. Jesus’ words would have stirred her spirit and stayed in her mind and heart long after the conversation ended. As Mary soaked up every word, she didn’t hear anything but Jesus’ voice. Martha’s sudden outburst probably filled her with guilt for not helping and embarrassment at being accused in front of their guests. But those feelings quickly evaporated as Jesus defended her by saying that she had chosen the most important thing.

Unfortunately, we don’t always give God our full attention. How many times have we mentally planned the day’s activities or meals during the Sunday morning service? Haven’t we all struggled with thoughts of our to-do list during our daily prayer time? It’s hard to give God our undivided attention when so many concerns bombard our minds. But nothing is more important to our spiritual growth than developing the discipline of shutting out the world and worshiping God with wholehearted devotion. Then we can choose the most important thing, as Mary did.

[Jesus said,] “Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:42