What Is Our Focus?

Stereo image by Gary W. Priester, Eyetricks.com

How do we maintain our focus on what is important in our lives?

Are we even looking in the right way to see what is before us?

The image at top right is a stereo image. Relax your eyes on the image and see if you can discern the word "FOCUS" embedded stereo-optically.

The old saying that life happens while we are making other plans or carrying out the daily duties of our lives occurs to us all. How do we maintain a vision of purpose and initiative as we struggle to be all we are supposed to be in God? How do we recognize the opportunity before us to truly live?

But most important, how does this affect what we believe? Can our own beliefs be distractions to true growth in God?

In our lectionary lesson from the Gospel of Luke 10:38-42, we meet Martha, distracted by both the everyday and the routine of her beliefs about what is appropriate in belief and behavior. While the passage is short, the lesson possesses many connotations. To begin, how are we like Martha?

Luke 10:38-42

10:38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.


10:39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying.


10:40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me."


10:41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things;

10:42 there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."
 
Walter Morton for Journey Across the Line