Undivided Attention
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted about many things…”
–Jesus, Luke 10:41
Martha is not the only one. Most of us know what that feels like. This is the stuff of which stress is made, and we have no shortage of it in our culture, surrounded as we are continually with so much stimuli, demanding our attention from dusk ‘til dawn. No wonder so many of us have become master multi-taskers! But just ask yourself: when was the last time you gave anything your full and undivided attention?
It is one of the greatest gifts we can give to anyone. I remember once many years ago when my little daughter Sarah was trying to tell me something important, but I was so scattered, stressed, and preoccupied, I could hardly listen. She took my face in her little hands and said, “Mommy, Mommy, put yourself ‘on pause.’”
Have you ever had lunch with someone who keeps checking his/her phone? I have been in meetings in which none of us looked at each other because we were all riveted to screens—cell phones, lap tops, IPads. We simultaneusly cook, clean, snack, watch TV, and try to converse with family members while checking for text messages.
Church is no exception. How hard it is to unplug. Let go. Be still. Silent. Focused. On one thing. That which is found at the center of our souls whether we are at work, or play, or prayer. What is it?
“…one thing is necessary.”
Jesus, Luke 10:42
Plan to be present Sunday as together we put ourselves “on pause” and give our undivided attention to one thing.
Grace and Peace,
Callie