Finding Rest in Christ Amidst Life's Distractions

Devotional

Day 1: Vigilance Against Distractions

In our fast-paced world, distractions are everywhere, pulling us away from what truly matters. Just as distracted driving can lead to accidents, distractions in our spiritual lives can lead us away from God. We often find ourselves caught up in the busyness of life, wearing it as a badge of honor or using it as an excuse. However, much of this busyness is self-imposed and can become an idol, overshadowing our relationship with God. It is crucial to identify and minimize these distractions to maintain our focus on Him. [03:05]

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one distraction in your life that consistently pulls you away from focusing on God, and how can you begin to minimize it today?

Day 2: Prioritizing Relationship Over Activity

The story of Mary and Martha serves as a powerful reminder that while our actions may be good, they should not overshadow our relationship with Jesus. Martha was busy with preparations, but Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to Him. Jesus gently rebuked Martha, highlighting that Mary had chosen what is better. This story challenges us to evaluate our own lives and consider what truly matters. Prioritizing time with Jesus is essential for spiritual growth and should take precedence over our activities. [05:37]

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize your relationship with Jesus over your daily activities this week?

Day 3: Embracing Eternal Gifts

Jesus offers us eternal gifts of purpose, joy, contentment, and peace, which cannot be found in the busyness of life. These gifts are everlasting and will not be taken away. In a world that often values temporary achievements and material possessions, it is important to remember that true fulfillment comes from the eternal gifts that Jesus provides. By focusing on Him, we can experience a deeper sense of purpose and joy that transcends our circumstances. [09:28]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary achievements to embracing the eternal gifts that Jesus offers?

Day 4: Finding Rest in Jesus

We are invited to sit at the feet of Jesus, who provides rest for our souls and strength for life's demands. In Him, we find hope beyond this life and the assurance of eternal life. When we feel overwhelmed by life's demands, it is a call to rest in Jesus. By prioritizing time with Him, we can keep everything in perspective and be reminded of our true purpose. This invitation to rest is a reminder that we do not have to navigate life's challenges alone. [11:49]

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to find rest in Jesus amidst your busy schedule?

Day 5: Choosing What is Better

When overwhelmed by life's demands, it is a call to rest in Jesus. Prioritizing time with Him helps us keep everything in perspective and reminds us of our true purpose. We gather in worship and study His Word to be reminded of what our souls truly need. By choosing what is better, we can find our rest in Christ and experience the peace that only He can provide. This choice requires intentionality and a willingness to let go of unnecessary distractions. [16:52]

"One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple." (Psalm 27:4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one unnecessary distraction you can let go of this week to choose what is better and find your rest in Christ?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we are reminded of Jesus' invitation to find rest in Him amidst the chaos and distractions of life. The prevalence of distracted driving serves as a metaphor for how easily we can become distracted in our spiritual lives. Just as distractions on the road can lead to accidents, distractions in our lives can lead us away from God. Many of us, when asked how we are doing, respond with "busy," often wearing it as a badge of honor or using it as an excuse. However, much of our busyness is self-imposed and can become an idol, taking precedence over our relationship with God.

The story of Mary and Martha illustrates this point beautifully. Martha, busy with preparations, becomes frustrated with her sister Mary, who chooses to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to Him. Jesus gently rebukes Martha, reminding her that while her actions are good, they are not the most important. Mary has chosen what is better, focusing on Jesus and His teachings, which will not be taken from her. This story challenges us to evaluate our own lives and consider what truly matters.

Jesus offers us something that cannot be found in the busyness of life: purpose, joy, contentment, and peace. These are eternal gifts that will not be taken away. We are invited to sit at the feet of Jesus, who walked this earth without sin, died for our sins, and rose again to give us hope beyond this life. In Him, we find rest for our souls and the strength to navigate the demands of life.

As we reflect on our schedules, we are encouraged to prioritize our time with Jesus, letting go of unnecessary distractions. While busyness itself is not a sin, it must be kept in perspective. Our purpose is not to fill our lives with activities but to focus on Jesus. When we feel overwhelmed, it is a call to rest in Him, to come away from the rush and hurry, and to find peace in His presence. This is why we gather in worship and study His Word, to be reminded of what our souls truly need. Choose what is better, and find your rest in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Distractions in life, much like distracted driving, can lead us away from God. We must be vigilant in identifying and minimizing these distractions to maintain our focus on Him. [03:05]
2. The story of Mary and Martha teaches us that while our actions may be good, they should not overshadow our relationship with Jesus. Prioritizing time with Him is essential for spiritual growth. [05:37]
3. Jesus offers us eternal gifts of purpose, joy, contentment, and peace, which cannot be found in the busyness of life. These gifts are everlasting and will not be taken away. [09:28]
4. We are invited to sit at the feet of Jesus, who provides rest for our souls and strength for life's demands. In Him, we find hope beyond this life and the assurance of eternal life. [11:49]
5. When overwhelmed by life's demands, it is a call to rest in Jesus. Prioritizing time with Him helps us keep everything in perspective and reminds us of our true purpose. [16:52]
** [16:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - The Dangers of Distraction
[03:05] - Busyness as an Idol
[05:37] - The Story of Mary and Martha
[07:45] - Jesus' Gentle Rebuke
[09:28] - Eternal Gifts from Jesus
[11:49] - Invitation to Rest in Jesus
[14:32] - Evaluating Our Priorities
[16:52] - Finding Peace in Christ
[18:30] - The Importance of Worship
[20:00] - Choosing What is Better
[21:30] - Closing Prayer and Reflection

Sermon Clips

"The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the number one cause of traffic accidents in our country is distracted driving. 80% of all traffic accidents are caused by distracted driving, whatever that might be. Probably looking at the cell phone, checking text messages, surfing Facebook, maybe putting on makeup or eating your lunch in your lap, or checking your work on your laptop, whatever it might be. 80%. Distracted driving is dangerous and can be deadly." [00:00:13]

"But I'm guessing if I got to talk to you guys individually, probably one of the biggest distractions that many of you, if not most of you, would mention is the busyness of life. I hear it continually. And it comes out of my mouth too when people ask me, how you doing? Busy. And I don't know why we do that. Why do we say that we're so busy? Is it because we want some pity? Is it because we wear it as a badge of honor?" [00:01:31]

"Now, yes, there's things that we have to do. There's things that need to get done. And your life might be busy, but just take a look at your schedule. Take a look at the seven days in your week and see how much of that busyness is really necessary, is really needed, and is caused by you. And you can control and even get rid of if you want to." [00:02:16]

"You see, we do these things that are good and we even can do them for God but they can actually take our focus off of God. Our busyness and we do these things that are good. We do these things that are good. We do these things that are good. We do these things that are good. We do these things that are good. We do these things that are good. We do these things that are good." [00:03:47]

"That busyness can actually become an idol to us that becomes more important than God who gives us these things to do. Martha had that problem. In our gospel lesson this morning, it's a familiar account to many of you. There's two sisters, Mary and Martha, who were good friends of Jesus. We learn in the gospel of John that they have a brother too. His name is Lazarus, the one that Jesus raised from the dead." [00:04:18]

"And Martha starts to get upset because she believes she's doing something very good, which she is, but she looks into the other room and sees Mary, her sister, just sitting there doing nothing. Nothing. And she's so angry. She's so upset at her sister and the situation and, hey, I'm trying to do this good thing for Jesus and serve him. And I got no help here that she goes to Jesus and says, don't you care?" [00:06:21]

"Listen again to what Jesus says. Again, this is from our gospel lesson in Luke 10. It's printed out there for you in the service folder if you have your Bible open. He says this, Martha, Martha. And I say it that way because that's the way I believe Jesus is saying it. It's not a scolding. It's a gentle rebuke. Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things." [00:07:02]

"Because where Mary is sitting is at the feet of Jesus, intently listening to every single word that is coming out of his mouth, so enveloped and devoted to listening to Jesus' words that maybe she has. She hasn't even noticed that her sister's running around and doing all these things because she's so enraptured by the voice of her Savior. Mary has chosen what is better." [00:09:55]

"Because he alone can bring us what we're all trying to find in our busyness. Purpose. Joy. A sense of contentment and peace. Right? Why are we doing this? doing all these things. Why are we trying to find them in all these things when we can find them in Jesus? Because everything else in this life, everything else that fills your schedule, while they might be good and in a sense important for this life, they are only for this life." [00:10:53]

"You were invited to come and to sit at the feet of this one who allowed nails to be pierced through those feet at a cross and there to suffer hell and to die for all of the times that you have put yourself and your life and your busyness above God. For all the times that you have tried to find your purpose and your joy in the busyness of this life." [00:12:46]

"And so friends, maybe it's a good way to think about this. When you start to feel overwhelmed, and when you start to worry and become upset about many things, when you become distracted by all the things of this life, maybe that's Jesus' call to you. to come and to rest. As we just sang, to come away from rush and hurry and sit at his feet." [00:16:16]

"Because it's in those very times here and in his word that you're invited to come away from rush and hurry and all the busyness of this life. And to find what your soul desperately needs. That you long for those times. You look forward to those times to see. Sit at Jesus' feet and listen. And friends, you don't have to go away and rush and hurry out of here this morning either. You know that?" [00:17:34]

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