Bring Your Attention

Read

Luke 10:38-42 (BSB) “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”

Think

Have you ever opened your phone to do one thing and looked up twenty minutes later with no idea how you got there? Your attention gets pulled from one notification to another until the original reason you picked up the phone disappears.

Attention is one of the most valuable things you have because whatever consistently receives it begins to shape you. In Luke 10, Martha is busy serving while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet and listens. Jesus is not attacking responsibility. He is showing that being busy around him is not the same as being present with him.

Worship involves attention. You can stand in a worship service while your mind is somewhere else. You can read a Bible chapter while thinking about five other things. Everyone gets distracted. The question is what you do when you notice.

Mary chose to be present. That kind of attention is difficult in a world designed to interrupt you. Every app wants another minute. Every conversation wants a response. Every assignment feels urgent. Worship sometimes looks like intentionally setting those voices down so you can remember who matters most.

Think about sitting across from a friend who keeps checking their phone while you are talking. They may technically be in the room, but you can tell their attention is somewhere else. God does not need your attention because he is insecure. You need to give him attention because your heart needs to be re-centered.

You do not need an hour of perfect silence to begin. Start with ten focused minutes. Put the phone somewhere else. Read a short passage slowly. Talk to God honestly. When your mind wanders, bring it back without beating yourself up. Worship is not perfect concentration. It is repeatedly choosing to turn your attention toward the One who deserves it.

Apply

Give ten minutes – Set aside ten distraction-free minutes today. Put your phone out of reach, read a short Psalm, and talk to God about what is actually on your mind.

Pray

God, my attention gets pulled in so many directions. Help me slow down and be present with you. Teach me to notice when distraction is running my life and to turn my attention back toward you. I want to know you, not just be busy around you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.