William Turner, Jr.: Can Endeavors Become Distractions? (John 11:5) Let s consider the account that s referred to in our Watchtower comments.

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1 Let s consider the account that s referred to in our Watchtower comments. If you turn with me in your Bibles to the book of Luke, we ll read this in its entirety. Follow with me, please, at Luke 10: It says: Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village. Here a woman named Martha received him as a guest in her house. She also had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and kept listening to what he was saying. Martha, on the other hand, was distracted with attending to many duties. So she came to him and said: Lord, does it not matter to you that my sister has left me alone to attend to things? Tell her to come and help me. In answer the Lord said to her: Martha, Martha, you are anxious and disturbed about many things. A few things, though, are needed, or just one. For her part, Mary chose the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her. Did you note in verse 40, it said that Martha was distracted with attending to many duties? It s quite likely that Martha may not have felt that way. After all, she was not engaged in some sort of hobby or materialistic pursuit, and her duties were certainly not trivial. She was tending to the needs of Jesus. Now, we think about that taking care of the Messiah, the Son of God. That had to be one of the greatest privileges and one of the greatest honors an individual could have. So it s no wonder that in verse 40 she encourages Jesus to tell her sister, Mary, to come and help her. But this raises an interesting question: Is it possible for Christians today to become distracted even while engaging in worthwhile theocratic pursuits? Well, consider three examples. We want to do more in the ministry, so we decide to learn a new language. Page 1 of 5

2 We focus on learning the language, but in the process, we neglect time to read and study the Bible in our mother tongue. Or perhaps we decide we re going to move and serve where the need is greater, and we begin to occupy so much of our time in learning about the country its customs and the food that that begins to overshadow our family worship and personal study. Or how about our Bethel assignment? We love our assignment. Our work is very interesting. We enjoy working hard. But we become so absorbed in staying ahead in our work and keeping things moving that we begin to do self-imposed overtime work on a regular basis, neglecting our meeting attendance and perhaps even time with our mate. Did you notice that each situation began as a worthwhile theocratic endeavor? But can we see how it s possible that each hypothetical situation could become a realistic distraction? Now, let s just go back for a moment to the account in Luke because it s important to note that Jesus never said that what Martha was doing was wrong. Like our text mentioned, he loved Martha. She was a spiritual woman, and he was very appreciative for what she was doing in his behalf. But he very kindly reminds her and shows her that her meal preparations were distracting her to the point that it interfered with her receiving what he refers to in verse 42 as the good portion a spiritual activity, listening to his teachings. Martha was not taking advantage of a unique opportunity to deepen her faith. Page 2 of 5

3 Very interestingly, the September 1, 1999, Watchtower elaborates on this account, and it makes this comment. It says: Moved by love, some [today] much like Martha do their utmost to minister to the needs of fellow believers. They are practical-minded and quick to take action, and Jehovah promises to reward their labors of love. Others perhaps more closely resemble Mary. They are quiet and contemplative. Their eagerness to meditate upon God s Word helps them to stay solidly rooted in the faith. But then it says this: Both... fill a vital need in the Christian congregation. And by extension, we ll just add in the Bethel family as well. It continues: In the end, however, all should choose the good portion by putting [spiritual or] primary emphasis on spiritual things. Well, that helps us to see the balance, doesn t it? It makes me think, perhaps in a modern-day application, what if the circuit overseer came to visit our congregation and everyone wanted to go out and work with him in the ministry, but no one was willing to stop and provide him with a meal? That wouldn t be good, would it, or hospitable? Just like it wouldn t be balanced for him to have multiple meal invitations, and then no one showed up to support him and his wife in the ministry. So the point is, we want to make sure that we care for our needs and the needs of others but also make sure that we remember our priorities. So, what s the key to ensuring that our endeavors will not become distractions? Well, notice how the Bible explains this. Turn with me, please, to Philippians chapter 1. At Philippians chapter 1, notice verses 9 and 10: And this is what I continue praying, that your love may abound still more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment; that you may make sure of the more important things, so that you may be flawless and not stumbling others up to the day of Christ. So before we undertake any endeavor, any assignment, you notice we want to pray, reason things out, use accurate knowledge, and discernment. And if we re able to use that insight good judgment then it s going to help us to discern, or perceive, what is most important to God. Page 3 of 5

4 And when we know that, well, then, we can harmonize our thoughts, our actions, and our decisions accordingly. By making sure of the more important things, we gain Jehovah s blessing and favor. So think about those situations we mentioned. If we re going to learn a new language or move where the need is greater, well, that s amazing! It s appreciated, and it s definitely needed. In fact, we re encouraged to do it if we have the circumstances. And, of course, in our Bethel assignment, who of us does not want to work hard, to get to know our work well, and give our all to Jehovah? But we can appreciate how Jesus shows us a valuable and balanced lesson that even in worthwhile theocratic pursuits, we should not let anything distract or impede our spiritual progress. We don t want to miss opportunities to strengthen our faith, to bond with our brothers and sisters, and, most importantly, to bond with Jehovah. If we just go back to Luke, notice how Jesus concluded his words to Martha. In verse 42, he says that because Mary chose the good portion, it will not be taken away from her. So, what she learned that day the commendation, the spiritual instruction from Jesus Mary would never forget that. That would stay with her for the rest of her life. And likely, we can recall a similar account maybe a talk, a meeting, something that was said at the convention, a spiritual discussion that we had with someone and that conversation, or discussion, had a profound impact on our faith and our relationship with Jehovah. Page 4 of 5

5 Well, if you ve had situations like that, you know that those are precious; they re very special. And those are things that we want to hold on to. So, what a beautiful reminder we had today. And let s not be distracted. May we work to strengthen our spirituality and relationship with Jehovah by always choosing the good portion, and if we do, we can be assured that Jehovah will bless our efforts. Page 5 of 5