Priorities, Distractions, and the Kingdom of God

The following story from God’s Word has tremendous wisdom and insight for disciples in the New Year and for the rest of our lives.

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).

If God, and your relationship to Him, is not the clear high priority of your life, you are distracted. If knowing Him, seeking Him, and pursuing His will for your life is not at the top of your list in terms of your priorities, you are off course. To be distracted is to allow your mind and attention to be pulled away from what is most important. To be distracted spiritually as a follower of Christ is to allow other things to move in between you and God.  It is to allow God and your walk with Him to be crowded out.

Sadly, for so many who say they are believers, God is not number one. Of course, we may say He is. But our lives and our actions tell the true story. If we are not spending time in the Word of God daily, praying consistently, and seeking to live out faithfully the call of God on our lives, we are not where we need to be.

We are each called to live a lifestyle of “sitting at the feet of Jesus.” In other words, we are called to live life walking in an intimate relationship with Christ each day. Every disciple of Christ is called to make spending time in the Word of God and prayer top priorities (I like to encourage a goal of reading at least 3 chapters in the Word of God daily). As God calls and commands you to obey and follow Him, do it. This is living a life of sitting at the feet of Jesus.

It’s so easy to tell ourselves and the world “I want to spend time with the Lord, but I ‘m just so busy!” Yet in the reality of life, we make time for what we really want to do.

In the business of daily life, don’t allow yourself to get distracted. It appears that the world is filled with weapons of mass distraction. Always make time to spend with Christ every day.

We are wise to spend some time in prayer and in the Word of God first thing in the morning after we get up. Make it a priority.

Many might say, “I don’t have time in the morning because I have to get ready for work or school and get out of the door within the time schedule I have!” Well actually, the solution to that problem is fairly simple. Get up thirty or forty minutes earlier than you have been getting up. Pray and ask the Lord to help you and He will be glad to assist you in this.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33).

We each need to be careful that we do not live distracted lives. One thing is needed. Know and stay close to God and follow Him no matter what.

Featured photo credit: Pict-your (Creative Commons) – Some rights reserved

Joseph Parker serves as the pastor of Greater Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church in Greenwood, Mississippi, and the Director of Outreach and Intercession with the American Family Association. He has been in the ministry for almost 40 years and hosts the radio broadcast, “The Hour of Intercession,” on the Urban Family Communications Radio network.

The views expressed in opinion articles are solely those of the author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Black Community News.