Burying Distraction

Luke 10:38-42

But Martha was distracted by her many tasks (Luke 10:40)

We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength.­ – Ash Wednesday, Evangelical Lutheran Worship

I recently came across these statistics:  45% of employees work only 15 minutes or less without getting interrupted, and 53% waste at least one hour a day due to all types of distractions. Those distractions include, but are not limited to, emails, text messages, phone calls, IMs, office temperature, an empty coffee cup, look! A chicken! 

Distraction is not only killing productivity, it’s physically killing us! In 2012 alone, 3,328 people were killed in distracted driving crashes. Distraction is killing us relationally. Technological gadgets and screens readily divert our attention away from those who are physically present. Next time you’re in a restaurant, look at how many people are checking their phones and not paying attention to each other. Distraction is also killing us spiritually. The pressing and sometimes oppressive demands of life distract us from the One who longs to be in relationship with us. This is why we prayed on Ash Wednesday, “Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to share the faith that is in us, we confess to you.” Like Martha, we've been distracted my many things to the detriment of "the one thing" that Mary sought.

This week we seek to bury distraction so that we, like Mary, might discover the joy of Jesus’ presence in our hearts, homes and lives.

Burying Distraction

·         Unplug

·         Carve out time for quiet prayer and reflection

·         Turn off those pesky push alerts on your phone

·         Schedule your social media time

·         Create a “tech free” zone or time for your household. For instance, mealtime.

·         Put your phone out of reach while driving

    

      Luke 10:38-42 NRSV

      38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.
 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying.
 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me."
 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things;
 42 there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."