“But Martha was distracted with much serving…But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.’” ~Luke 10:40-42
Driving late one night from a meeting I received a call from a friend. He invited Shanna and me to fish salmon with him and his wife on the Columbia River. The fishing was great. We wouldn’t have to make the two-hour drive until 10:30 the next morning as opposed to the usual 2:00 AM. Shanna had never been on the Columbia, and he’d never invited me fishing, which made his offer more tempting.
But it was 9:00 at night. Tomorrow was packed with meetings, to-do items, and all that I failed to finished today. It wouldn’t be responsible. In a word—I was too busy.
We decided to go for it anyway. We opted for life to the fullest (John 10:10B). We chose to build a relationship with people we cared about.
We fished a warm, calm, and windless day—rare for the Columbia. Shanna fought two Chinook salmon, solidified a relationship with friends, and basked in an Astoria (Oregon) sunset that words will never do justice. Diving into a full moon trying to swallow us with two Chinook on ice, I leaned into my content bride and said, “Neither of us will ever forget this day.”
But Martha was “distracted” by her schedule. Jesus gently reminded her when “anxious and troubled” about “many things” we lose focus about what matters most. Being anxious and troubled is synonymous with being mentally absent and emotionally tangled. In this state, we aren’t the best version of ourselves.
When busyness threatens to distract you, focus on the moment. Wherever you go—be there!
Richard Bailey and Joseph Carlson wrote, “Life is really nothing more than a series of present moments—one right after the other—to be experienced. You are always living in this moment—will you live it present or absent?”
Wherever you go—be there. Enjoy the moment. Be present in the present moment. You can’t get time back. Make the most of your life. The full life Jesus promised is lived in full focus. Others experience the best version of you enjoy every moment.
