When you ask someone how they are, their response usually includes “busy.” Busyness seems to creep its way into most of our conversations. We are so busy that there are things we know we should be doing that we can’t seem to find time for, important things. If Satan can’t entice you to do bad things, he’ll keep you busy so that you don’t have time for God. In the story of Mary and Martha, Martha was busy! Jesus was coming to town and she was preparing the house, the food, the invitations. Everything needed to be perfect. However, Mary sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. Martha was “worried and distracted” by her many tasks and somewhat ticked-off that her sister wasn’t pitching in to help. Jesus responded to Martha’s complaint by telling her that Mary had made the right choice, the important choice. Martha felt an urgency for the tasks that needed to be completed. Or did they? Martha’s urgent agenda was of her own making. She was creating expectations and trying to meet them at the expense of what was really important—Jesus! What seems urgent is not always what is important.

Scriptures
Ec 3:1; Phil 4:13; Lk 10:38-42; Mt 6:33

Verse
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has made the right choice, and it will never be taken away from her.” (Lk 10:41-42)
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Mt 6:33)

Thought
Choosing what’s important requires thought and prayer. Learn when to say “no.” Don’t sacrifice what’s really important for anything less. If you don’t get your oil changed regularly (important) it may create an engine problem (urgent). Taking care of the important helps to lessen the occurrence of the urgent. If something is truly important it should be on your schedule. Not making time for what’s important is a choice. You have time for what you choose to have time for. Put first things first. Matthew 6:33 says, “…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” God will cause everything else to fall into place when he is given his rightful place in your life and your schedule. Spending time with God should be your first priority. Create deadlines. Finish important tasks in a timely manner so you have time for the next important thing. Even for everyday tasks, such as cleaning the house, set a time frame for cleaning, then stop. Some tasks are endless; you have to set the clock. Leave work at the designated time. With the ease of communicating at all times of day, work can creep into your family time, fun time, rest time, etc. Decide when done is done! What is important to society isn’t necessarily what should be important to a Christian. If your child isn’t in 3 sports, eternity isn’t in the balance. Set an example by putting God first so your children see that you don’t just say God is first, you live that way.

Questions
Do you keep a schedule (in your phone or calendar)—not just in your mind? Does your schedule include time for God? Family? Friends? Rest? Are you overwhelmed by the demands on your time? What important thing have you not made time for? How can we say God is most important and not put Him first? How do we create needless urgency in our lives? What is the result of self-created urgency? How has your busyness been hurtful to someone else? How has someone else’s busyness hurt you?

Response
Keep a journal to track how you are spending your time over the next couple of weeks. See what is revealed about what is important to you.

Prayer
Dear Lord, you have given me life. All that I have and everyone that I love have been placed in my life by you. You are my source. Help me to keep you first in every area of my life. Everything falls out of sync when you are not my priority. Guide me and remind me daily of your love, power and presence. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.