Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Luke 10:40 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
In the midst of some scurrying about this past week, I was brought up short by the words of Jesus to Martha in a similar situation, “…you are anxious and troubled about many things…” (When Jesus calls your name, it’s time to listen.) As I stopped to ponder the truth of that admonition—I often get caught up in “things”—I was reminded of another verse that I’d never connected to the first: “…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Jesus said in another place that sometimes we allow “the cares of the world” to choke the Word, and we become unfruitful (Mark 4:19). Instead, we’re to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Heb. 12:2).
Obviously, as hard as we may try, we can only focus on one thing at a time. As often as we claim to successfully multi-task, the Cleveland Clinic claims that “the concern among neuroscientists studying the workings of the brain is that our tendency to divide our attention, rather than focus, is hampering our ability to perform even simple tasks.” I don’t think our problem is trying to do too many things at once; I believe we’re trying to do the wrong things. Our priorities are misaligned.
Jesus said, “Seek first” God’s Kingdom and God’s righteousness (his right-living, right-being, and right-doing). Push everything else aside. Focus on him. Seek him. Nothing Jesus tells us to do is impossible with his Spirit’s empowering. We—I—just need to do some severe editing and stop being anxious about many things. Only one thing is necessary.
Jesus first. Then everything else falls into place.
I surrender, Lord. All to Jesus, I surrender. I surrender, Lord. AMEN.
agodforeveryday 