We have entered the closing stretch of 2022, with only November and December standing between us and the turning of the calendar page to an entirely new year. For so many, what this means is a time of busyness that is unparalleled. Workers with annual quotas are now scrambling to make sure that they hit their numbers. Students who are facing the end of the semester see their projects and finals looming over them. Then toss into the mix the sheer magnitude of holiday gatherings that seem to fill every possible open moment (and even some moments that are already spoken for), and it can seem like the greatest challenge that we will ever face is to simply get through these next two months.
Some of the madness that is to come is unavoidable. There are certain things in life that we have to do, and it is part of our lot in life to handle those things as best as we can. However, much of what is to come during this end of the year rush is optional, and that also includes some of the things that we think we have to do. We have a tendency to put more onto our plates than we have to, and the end result is that we risk dropping the ball with the things that are most important.
In Luke Chapter 10, we read of a dinner party for Jesus and his disciples hosted by Mary and her sister Martha. This would have been a significant undertaking, given the number of disciples traveling with Jesus. And it would have been an important undertaking, for Mary and Martha knew that Jesus was a revolutionary teacher, filled with wisdom and authority. Martha is working really hard to make all of the preparations, but Mary has chosen instead to spend time with Jesus. The author of the text uses the word “distracted” to describe Martha, and when Martha complains to Jesus that he should tell Mary to help her, we understand why he selected that word. Jesus tells Martha that, given the choice between preparing a feast and spending time with Jesus, it is Mary who has chosen the better path.
The proper application of that text is that we should not allow ourselves to get so distracted that we don’t spend time with Jesus. Yet we can certainly make an even broader application of that theme to the craziness of the holiday season that is upon us. The holidays, celebrations and parties that are coming up are on the calendars for a reason. Thanksgiving is a day for us to be thankful. Christmas is a day to remember the birth of Jesus. Celebrations are for specific things being celebrated. Parties are for enjoying the people that you have surrounded yourself with. Yet in each instance, it is so easy for us to get distracted by what is going on in our lives, whether it be the preparation required for those events, or workloads that are weighing down on us, or even the emotional burden of those who won’t be with us this holiday season. Those things can fill our plates so much that we miss the joy that is inherent to this season. We wind up being like Martha, distracted and complaining, when we could have chosen to be like Mary and simply enjoy the things that are more important.
Be like Mary these next two months. Enjoy the people and blessings that you have right in front of you.
Peace and blessings – Pastor Aaron