Finding Focus: Embracing Presence Over Busyness

This morning, the invitation is to pause and consider where our focus truly lies. In a world that constantly demands our attention and fills our schedules with endless tasks, it is easy to become like Martha—distracted, overwhelmed, and convinced that our worth is measured by our busyness. Yet, the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 gently challenges this mindset. While Martha is busy with many tasks, Mary chooses to sit at Jesus’ feet, listening and being present. Jesus affirms Mary’s choice, reminding us that there is “need of only one thing.”

This is a call to let go of the relentless pursuit of activity and to embrace the discipline of presence. Our culture often equates busyness with importance, and we may even feel pressure to fill our children’s lives with endless activities, believing this is what’s best for them. But true growth—spiritually, emotionally, and relationally—comes from learning to discern what is truly necessary and letting go of what distracts us from God.

We are reminded that God is not found in the noise and the rush, but in the quiet moments of rest, prayer, and attentive listening. Whether through Christian contemplation, centering prayer, or even practices borrowed from other traditions, the invitation is the same: to be still, to listen, and to focus on the presence of God. This is not just about personal well-being, but about being equipped to love God and neighbor more deeply, to serve our community with compassion, and to live out our faith with clarity and purpose.

The challenge is to create space in our lives for Sabbath, for spiritual retreat, and for intentional devotion. This may mean saying no to good things in order to say yes to the best thing. It may mean helping our children and ourselves learn the value of focus and discernment. In doing so, we follow the way of Jesus, who calls us to a life that is not scattered, but centered—rooted in God’s love and attentive to the Spirit’s leading. May we heed this call, finding rest for our souls and strength for the journey ahead.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Tyranny of Busyness: Our culture often glorifies being busy, equating it with significance and success. Yet, this constant activity can distract us from what truly matters—our relationship with God and with others. The story of Martha and Mary reveals that busyness, even in service, can become a barrier to spiritual depth if it keeps us from being present to God. [18:26]
• 2. The Courage to Choose the “Better Part”: Mary’s decision to sit at Jesus’ feet was countercultural, especially for a woman in her time. She chose to prioritize spiritual nourishment over societal expectations and the demands of productivity. This challenges us to discern what is truly necessary in our lives and to have the courage to choose what draws us closer to God, even if it means disappointing others or breaking with tradition. [31:53]
• 3. Sabbath as Resistance and Renewal: Observing a Sabbath—a time of intentional rest and focus on God—is not just a religious duty, but an act of resistance against a world that values constant output. Sabbath invites us to stop, to listen, and to be renewed in body, mind, and spirit. It is a weekly reminder that our worth is not in what we do, but in who we are before God. [36:01]
• 4. The Practice of Presence: Jesus’ words, “there is need of only one thing,” point us toward the spiritual practice of being present—whether through prayer, meditation, or simply attentive listening. This presence is not passive, but a deep engagement with God and with the moment. It is in this focused stillness that we hear the Spirit’s voice and are transformed. [33:07]
• 5. Discernment in Community and Family Life: The call to focus is not just individual, but communal. We are invited to help one another—especially our children—learn to prioritize what is life-giving and to let go of what is merely distracting. This requires discernment, honesty, and sometimes the courage to say no to good things in order to say yes to what is best for our souls and our community. [22:38]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:20] - Theme: Focus and Distraction
• [03:15] - Call to Worship and Sanctuary Chorus
• [04:00] - Responsive Prayer and Rest
• [05:56] - Opening Prayer and Song
• [10:21] - Announcements and Community Life
• [15:18] - Gospel Reading: Mary and Martha
• [18:26] - The Problem of Busyness
• [21:10] - Children and the Pressure of Activity
• [23:24] - A Story of Over-Scheduled Families
• [25:16] - Church Growth and True Focus
• [26:10] - Martha’s Distraction and Our Own
• [28:58] - The One Thing Needed: Sitting at Jesus’ Feet
• [31:53] - Mary’s Countercultural Choice
• [33:07] - Presence, Contemplation, and Centering Prayer
• [36:01] - Sabbath, Rest, and Spiritual Renewal
• [39:04] - Mary as Our Example
• [41:09] - Prayers for the Community and the World
• [49:17] - Commitment and Release
• [54:30] - Benediction: Living with Focus

1. According to the story in Luke 10:38-42, what were the different choices that Mary and Martha made when Jesus visited their home?
2. What does Jesus say to Martha about her busyness and Mary’s choice? What words does he use to describe Martha’s state of mind?
3. In the sermon, what examples were given of how our culture encourages busyness, both for adults and for children? [[21:10]]
4. How does the sermon describe the “one thing” that is needed, according to Jesus? [[28:58]]

1. Why do you think Jesus affirmed Mary’s choice to sit and listen, even though Martha was doing important work to serve? What does this say about what Jesus values? [[31:53]]
2. The sermon mentions that Mary’s choice was “countercultural” for her time. What might it look like to make a countercultural choice to focus on God today? [[31:53]]
3. The pastor talked about Sabbath as both “resistance and renewal.” What does it mean for Sabbath to be an act of resistance in our current culture? [[36:01]]
4. The sermon says that being present with God is not just for our own well-being, but also equips us to love and serve others. How does time spent in stillness and prayer prepare us for loving our neighbors? [[30:03]]

1. The sermon described how easy it is to fill our lives and our children’s lives with endless activities. Is there an area in your life (or your family’s life) where you feel “scattered” or overwhelmed by busyness? What is one thing you could let go of to create more space for God? [[21:10]]
2. Jesus told Martha that “there is need of only one thing.” What is one practical way you could choose the “better part” this week—maybe by setting aside time for prayer, reading, or simply being still? [[28:58]]
3. The sermon talked about Sabbath as a weekly practice of rest and focus on God. Do you have a regular Sabbath or time of rest? If not, what would it look like to start? If yes, how does it help you? [[36:01]]
4. The pastor mentioned that sometimes we need to say “no” to good things in order to say “yes” to the best thing. Is there a “good” activity or commitment you might need to reconsider in order to make more room for spiritual growth? [[23:24]]
5. The sermon encouraged us to help our children (or those we influence) learn the value of focus and discernment. How can you model or teach this in your home or community? [[22:38]]
6. The practice of presence was described as not just being passive, but as deep engagement with God and the moment. What is one way you can practice being more present with God or with others this week? [[33:07]]
7. The pastor shared a personal story about needing to rest and listen to God after a busy week. Have you ever experienced a time when you had to stop and rest, even when you didn’t want to? What did you learn from that experience? [[38:14]]