Slow down (1)
2020-11-28Luke 10:41 NIV
We live in a world full of multitasking. We can be drinking our to-go coffee while driving. We can be carrying on a text conversation while sitting in a lecture or a meeting. We can be playing a game while eating lunch. We tend to do just about everything with our phones close by so we can keep checking them for messages.
We might think that doing several different tasks at once helps us to be productive. And sometimes that’s true – if there’s a task you hate, like cooking or washing the car, doing something like catching up with your favourite podcast at the same time can make the job seem easier and more enjoyable.
God’s given us the ability to multitask, so we shouldn’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing, but we need to be careful how we use it. God’s also given us the ability to focus, but multitasking can lead to us losing concentration, making mistakes, and taking even more time than if we’d done each thing separately. Multitasking can also lead us to lose focus on the one thing we should constantly look to: God.
When Jesus visited Martha and Mary, Martha was concerned that she got everything right and made her guest feel welcome. While she was busy with all the preparations, Jesus said to her: ‘Martha, Martha…you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better’ (Luke 10:41-42 NIV). Mary had chosen to focus on Jesus and what He was saying, whereas Martha was continuing with work. While work is important, there are times when we need to slow down, focus, and give God our full attention.