First Sunday of Advent, December 2nd, 2012

A Story from Scripture:  Read Luke 10:38-42

A Devo:  Martha had many tasks to do.  She had a dinner to prepare for Jesus.  She had a house to clean.  She had a table to set.  She had rooms to arrange for a visitor.  And there is nothing wrong with any of that.  But the Bible reveals to us that Martha was distracted by her many tasks.  They prevented her from seeing the big picture, from enjoying her visit from Jesus, from simply listening and learning from her very special guest.  Her focus was on the nitty-gritty and not on the blessing of being with Jesus.

How often we, too, can be worried and distracted by our many tasks.  We have food to buy, meals to prepare, dishes and clothes to wash, dusting and vacuuming to do, things that keep cluttering our homes to pick up and put away, lawns to mow, bills to pay.  They, too, become our focus.

But Jesus in this Bible story helps Martha, and us, realize that our life is so much more than getting tasks like these done.  In essence he says, "Don't stress out about all this stuff.  They are only a sidelight to what is most important ~ spending time with me."

A Prayer:  Like Martha, dear Lord, forgive me for becoming too busy with my daily tasks that I fail to leave time for you.  Help me not to be so consumed with worry over what I need to get done today that I forget all that you have done to see me free from sin, death and the devil.  Fill me with gratitude for all your gifts and for my abilities to serve you and those around me in so many different ways.  Amen.