Undistracted

Spiritual Exercise: Mindfulness (wk. 7/13)

Reading: Luke 10:38-42

No matter what, I’m getting four to five days of strength training in the gym. When it’s on my calendar, it’s uninterrupted, focused, me time. With the playlist locked in, a workout written out, and pre-workout kicking in, I’m ready to take action. The gym is where I feel most confident, but if I’m honest, it’s also where I resist anything that challenges my comfort.

That same disconnect shows up everywhere else. I’m disciplined with weights, but I fumble in the areas that matter most. I won’t leave the squat rack until I finish the last rep, but when a hard conversation with my spouse comes up, I deflect. I can stick to a six-week fitness challenge, but when it comes to my Bible reading plan, I’m getting reminders to catch up. I’m dialed in during workouts but easily distracted at work.

In Luke 10, I see myself in Martha.

Jesus visits her home, and while her sister Mary sits at His feet, Martha is busy making everything just right. Eventually she speaks up: “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone?”

Jesus gently replies, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is better…”

Martha wasn’t doing something wrong. Her heart may have been in the right place. But she missed the better thing. She was distracted by what made her feel competent. She chose what she was good at over what Jesus was offering.

Distraction isn’t always negative. It depends on what we are distracted by, and whether that leads us closer to the heart of God or keeps Him at a distance.

There are two big distractions I wrestle with:

1. Competency

Martha welcomed Jesus in but felt more comfortable serving Him rather than being served by Him. I get that. I prefer to stay in the zone where I feel strong and capable. But sometimes I hide behind what I’m good at to avoid confronting what I actually need—time with God.

I used to hear people say, “I want to do big things for God.” That sounds admirable, but it often turns into striving. God doesn’t need anything from us. He was complete before we were ever created. What He wants is our heart, not our hustle.

2. Busyness

Life doesn’t slow down. But even in our full schedules and constant motion, Jesus still calls us to be present. Our spiritual life cannot thrive on constant movement. If we are always doing, we will eventually crowd out what matters most.

It’s worth asking, “What good things might be getting in the way of the better thing?” Maybe it means reclaiming time for your family. Maybe it’s waking up a little earlier to sit with God before the noise starts. He’s not another box to check. He is the source of your strength.

Mary’s choice to sit wasn’t laziness. It was deeply intentional. Her posture teaches us that everything else flows from being with Jesus first. If I’m struggling to be vulnerable in marriage, am I being vulnerable with God? If I’m frustrated at work, have I asked Jesus to lead me through it?

If we’re running on empty, it’s not because we’re doing too much. It’s because we’re doing too much without Jesus.

Here are two simple ways to push back against distraction and choose the better thing:

Start small. Set a timer for five minutes and give that time fully to God—prayer, journaling, silence, worship, or even moving your body with intention while reflecting on Him.

Name your distractions. What feels productive but is keeping you distant from God? Is it multitasking, constant scrolling, or overcommitting? Make adjustments and invite Him in.

Jesus didn’t scold Martha. He invited her to rest. The same invitation is available to you right now.

Find what's better in Jesus.

Questions for Reflection:

What distractions do you wrestle with?

What good things might be getting in the way of a better thing?