Make Time for What Matters at Christmas

In Luke 10:41-42 it says, “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.” (NIV)

This Christmas, consider doing less, not more. By simplifying life, you and I will have more enjoyment, more fulfillment, and less stress.

At one of the busiest times of the year, we need to make sure we’re filling our calendars, our minds, and our hearts with what’s important—not trivial things that won’t even matter in five years, much less for eternity.

The trivial things I’m talking about are not evil things. I know that I can fill my life with good things that keep me from spending time with God. I can be involved in ministry all the time and be so busy working for God that I don’t leave God any time to work within me.

An example of this can be seen in Mary and Martha, who were sisters and also friends of Jesus. One day they invited him to their home for a meal. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to his teaching. Martha was busy worrying about the food and making sure everything was in place.

Doesn’t that sound like Christmas? We spend months buying and wrapping gifts, decorating the house, putting up the lights, fixing the tree, sending out cards, preparing meals, and planning parties. Then, when Christmas arrives, I realize that I was so busy with the preparation that I didn’t make any time for Jesus.

“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’” (Luke 10:40-42 NIV).

Mary knew there was one thing worth her time: getting to know the Son of God.

Nothing else will matter in eternity. God didn’t put us on earth just to work and then retire. He wants you and I to get to know him. 

So for this Christmas stop, take a breath, and shift focus to the one thing, 

Martha didn't realize that in her desire to serve, she was actually neglecting her guest. Am I so busy doing things for Jesus that I'm not spending time with him? I should not let my service become self-serving. Jesus didn't blame her for being concerned about household chores. He was only asking her to set priorities. Service to Christ can degenerate into mere busywork that is totally devoid of devotion to God.

When it comes to my life and distractions, consider my cell phone. Do I own it or does it own me? If I’ve taken a useful tool and made it the most valuable thing in my life, then my phone has become my god. If I’ve allowed my phone to distract me from what is most important, then it has become my idol. In today’s passages, It illustrates that Martha didn't realize that in her desire to serve, she was actually neglecting her guest.

Am I so busy doing things for Jesus that I'm not spending time with him? I should not let my service become self-serving. Jesus was only asking her to set priorities. Service to Christ can degenerate into mere busywork that is totally devoid of devotion to God. And so, Martha was distracted by her preparations, which kept her from the most important thing: being with Jesus.

In my life I may think I’m focused on the right thing; returning that text, making that call, checking that status, answering that message. But if something keeps me from the most important thing, then it’s taken over my life. I need to continue to sit at Jesus’ feet every day of my life. Confess my wrong-doings and ask God for what I need. Praise him for who he is. It’s the most important part of my day because it affects everything else. The average person spends three hours and 15 minutes on their phone each day. In my case, how much time do I spend on the phone versus being in God’s Word? I shouldn’t let myself get distracted. I have control over how I spend my time. So this Christmas I want to keep this in mind and choose to spend it on what matters most. 

Simplify Your Life to Do God’s Work

In Luke 9:62 I read, “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (TLB)

People want to be used by God, but they’re too busy, myself included. They’ve got their own agendas. They have their plans and dreams and ambitions, and they don’t have any time to give to God.

If I’m serious about being used by God, say, “Lord, what do I need to let go of? What do I need to cut out? What barriers are holding me back, keeping me from running the race you have planned for me?”

One of the biggest barriers is distractions. Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God” (TLB).

Here are a few of the many things that may be distracting me from my life mission:

The expectations of others. I’ve got to decide who I’m going to please first in life. I can only have one “number one.”

Hobbies. There’s nothing wrong with having hobbies. But if they distract me from the most important things, then I need to let them go.

My past. Maybe I haven’t let go of my past, and I’m holding on to guilt, resentment, or grief. Here’s the problem with that: When I’m stuck in the past, I can’t get on with the present, and I certainly can’t get on with God’s future for me. My past is past. It’s over! So let it go.

What do I need to let go of? The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:23, “‘Everything is permissible,’ but not everything is helpful” (HCSB). What does that mean? Many things aren’t necessarily wrong; they’re just not necessary. Life is often a choice between “Am I going to do something good?” or “Am I going to do what’s best?”

If the devil can’t make me bad, he’ll make me busy. He’ll get me so busy that I don’t have time for the important things, like ministry, mission, and time alone with God.

I can’t do it all. So do what matters most! Simplify life and eliminate distractions so God can use me.

In summary, If I let myself get distracted from the work he plans for me, I won’t be fit for the Kingdom of God. People, including myself, want to be used by God, but they’re too busy with their own agendas, plans, dreams and ambitions, not leaving any time to give to God. If I’m serious about being used by God, I need to ask, “Lord, what do I need to let go of? What do I need to cut out?  What barriers are holding me back, keeping me from running the race you have planned. Some of the biggest barriers are distractions such as: The expectations of others. I need to decide who I’m going to please first in life. My Hobbies. But if they distract me from the most important things, then I need to let them go. My past, holding on to guilt, resentment, or grief. When I’m stuck in the past, I can’t get on with the present. What do I need to let go of? Many things aren’t necessarily wrong; they’re just not necessary. Life is often a choice between “Am I going to do something good?” or “Am I going to do what’s best?” If the devil can’t make me bad, he’ll make me busy. He’ll get me so busy that I don’t have time for ministry, mission, and time alone with God. I can’t do it all. So do what matters most! Simplify life and eliminate distractions so God can use me.

What does Jesus want from me? Total dedication, not half hearted commitment. I can't pick and choose among Jesus' ideas and follow him selectively; I have to accept the cross along with the crown. I must count the cost and be willing to abandon everything else that has given me security, without looking back. With my focus on Jesus, I should not allow anything to distract me from following him. 

My Choices Control My Calendar

In Galatians 6:5 I read, “We are each responsible for our own conduct.” (NLT)

My choices are far more powerful than my circumstances.

I can see this more clearly in how I spend my time. I may not like how complicated and busy life has become. But with few exceptions, no one is forcing me to keep my life that complicated.

I have the power to simplify my life. In fact, God expects me to assume responsibility for my calendar and to carefully choose how I spend my time.

Do I really know how much time I have here on earth? I have just enough time to do God’s will. In other words, I’ve been given just enough time to fulfill my purpose. When I try to do more than God planned for me, it’s only natural that I’ll find myself constantly out of time or stressed over my schedule.

If the Devil can’t make me bad, he’ll make me busy. He’ll get me so busy that I don’t have time for the important stuff, time alone with God, ministry, and mission.

What do I need to let go of? The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:23, “‘Everything is permissible,’ but not everything is helpful” (HCSB). This means: A lot of things aren’t necessarily wrong; they’re just not necessary. Life often means choosing either “Am I going to do something good?” or “Am I going to do what’s best?”

Take time this week to pray over my calendar. Ask God to show me what parts of it are part of his purpose for me. As I do this, I may find relief from stress and a new sense of satisfaction as I do only the things God created me to do.

In summary, I am responsible for my own conduct. My choices are far more powerful than my circumstances. I can see this more clearly in how I spend my time. I may not like how complicated and busy life has become. But with few exceptions, no one is forcing me to keep my life that complicated. I have the power to simplify my life. God expects me to assume responsibility for my calendar and to carefully choose how I spend my time. I have just enough time to do God’s will. I’ve been given just enough time to fulfill my purpose. When I try to do more than God planned for me, it’s only natural that I’ll find myself constantly out of time or stressed over my schedule. If the Devil can’t make me bad, he’ll make me busy. He’ll get me so busy that I don’t have time for the important stuff, time alone with God, ministry, and mission. What do I need to let go of? A lot of things aren’t necessarily wrong; they’re just not necessary. Life often means choosing either “Am I going to do something good?” or “Am I going to do what’s best?” So I should pray over my calendar and ask God to show me what parts of it are part of his purpose for me. I will find relief from stress and a new sense of satisfaction as I do only the things God created me to do.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in my new job.  I pray all these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen.