Here Comes the…Bride?

"But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

She came to him and asked,

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?

Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,

but few things are needed—or indeed only one.

 Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:40-42

 

 

Imagine a wedding ceremony.

The groom is at the altar standing next to his best man.

The music changes, the bride enters the sanctuary, the congregation rises and all eyes are on her!

Except the grooms eyes!

He is distracted by a spot he notices on his tuxedo sleeve.

He doesn’t look up until she is at the altar, slaps his arm and gives him that two finger gesture of moving her fingers from his eyes to her eyes – in other words – pay attention!

Never happen?

Can’t imagine that distraction?

Well, sometimes life’s distractions can pull us away from very important things.

Maybe you find our imaginary scenario a little hard to swallow but what if Jesus came into your room where you are reading this post right now and you didn’t notice His presence or give Him the time of day because you were too busy reading (for the record His presence will always trump this blog!).

Today’s scripture passage presents just such a scene.

“But Martha was distracted…”

Perhaps Jesus’ presence had become too familiar to Martha that she took it for granted.

Perhaps she was still angry about the last time she hosted a group in her home and Mary didn’t lift a finger.

Regardless, we are told that Mary was distracted by all the preparations.

What preparations do you have today that will keep you from His presence?

The holiday preparations?

The CHRISTmas cards? (get the subtle hint?)

Maybe a soap opera or reality show?

I’m going to reverse our opening scene just a bit and close with this.

Don’t ever be the bride so distracted that you miss the time and words of the bridegroom!

Set other things aside today to be with Jesus.