Vine Hill Church

Am I Distracted | Alex Howell | Luke 10:38-42

Episode Summary

Martha was busy serving Jesus. Mary was sitting at His feet. In week 2 of Don't Drink the Poison, Pastor Alex walks through Luke 10:38-42 and shows how distraction, even with good things, can lead to frustration, assumption, and anxiousness. Jesus invites us back to the good portion: time with Him, unhurried and undistracted.

Episode Notes

About this episode

Martha opened her home to Jesus and got to work. Her sister Mary sat down at His feet and listened. When Martha complained, Jesus told her she was anxious and troubled about many things, but only one thing was necessary.

In week 2 of Don't Drink the Poison, Pastor Alex names a poison most of us don't notice: distraction. Not distraction by bad things, but by good ones, like our roles as spouses, parents, and employees, and our family and career goals. God created those things. But when they move ahead of Jesus, they pull us away from what matters most.

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)
Also referenced: 1 Corinthians 13, James 1, Proverbs 16:9, 2 Corinthians 6:2
Speaker: Pastor Alex
Series: Don't Drink the Poison, week 2

Key takeaways

1. Distraction can lead to frustration. When we haven't spent time with Jesus, we get irritable with the people closest to us, at home and at work. We can't show love if we haven't spent time with the one who is love.
2. Distraction can lead to assumption. Martha assumed Jesus didn't care. When we're running on empty, we let our emotions lead and assume the worst about the people who love us most, and that assumption can grow into resentment.
3. Distraction can lead to anxiousness. Anxiety shows up when we're worried about what might happen or overwhelmed by what we're trying to manage. Christ is over the present and the future.

From the message

"The devil don't care what you're focused on, as long as it's not Jesus."

"Sitting at his feet is a posture of submission, listening and learning."

Questions to reflect on

• Which of your roles or goals has quietly moved ahead of Jesus lately?
• Who have you been quick to get frustrated with, or to assume the worst about? What might change if you started your day at Jesus' feet?
• Where are you sitting at the world's feet (your phone, your feed, your calendar) more than at Christ's? What is one change you can make this week?

This week's challenge

Spend time with Jesus more days than not: four days a week, 20 to 30 minutes, unhurried and undistracted. Put the phone in the other room and open your Bible. If you miss a day, don't beat yourself up. Just pick it back up.

Not sure where to start? Our pastors and staff would love to help you make a plan for time with God.