My normal morning routine consists of taking my meds, waiting the suggested thirty minutes and finally having my morning coffee on my deck while enjoying nature awakening to a new day. The birds are singing to one another, while the squirrels and other critters scurry about tending to the important things squirrels and critters do every morning. As I sit and watch the new day dawning, I say to myself; “I’ll read my Bible after my coffee and breakfast.
As I look around, I notice all the work that still needs to be done. I see the plastic wrap we put around the screened in porch windows. It really should be taken down soon. Boy, they’ve really gotten dirty this year. I’ll have to wash them off with the hose before I put them away. Oh, look! I need to plant those flowers too. They’ve been in their original little starter pots for over a week! They’re going to die if I don’t get to them. Then I have to……….
I hear the word “DISTRACTIONS.” I am distracted by many things. Sitting here, I found myself like Martha, distracted by all the things that need my attention. The morning is half gone. A quick reading of my verse for the day, then my Turning Point app, and I’m off getting into another project, not having quite enough time to spend some quality time with the Lord. Luke 10:38-42 says:
“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
The One Thing
Jesus knew Martha had preparations to tend to, and that was good. But what Jesus was saying was she needed to sit at the feet of her Savior and learn from Him. The preparations could wait. Jesus wanted to spend time with her and Mary. Mary had chosen to let the preparations wait so she could choose the better thing, which was spending time with Jesus.
The first and most important task for us is our love and devotion to our fellowship with Jesus. Matthew 22:37 says:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
We should love God with every part of our being. Our love for God should be complete, encompassing our thoughts, our actions, and even our emotions. It is vital that we cultivate this love daily, allowing it to manifest in our interactions with others and in the way we approach the challenges of life. As we seek to understand His will, we become ready to embrace the teachings that guide us toward a deeper relationship with Him.
Bible Verses About Loving God
Deuteronomy 6:5
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
John 14:21
“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
1 John 4:8
“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.“
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Matthew 22:37
“Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
Bible Verses About Putting God First
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Matthew 10:38-39
“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Exodus 20:3
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.“
Proverbs 3:9-10
“Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase;
So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”
Psalms 27:4
“One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.”
Conclusion
As I sat on my porch drinking my morning coffee, savoring the rich aroma and warmth of the cup in my hands, I longed to immerse myself in the pages of my Bible, reflecting on its teachings and finding wisdom; however, I found myself constantly distracted by the vibrant sounds of nature around me, the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze, the cheerful chirping of birds welcoming the day, the unending chores that had to be done; all competing for my attention and pulling me away from my First Love.
The first and most important task I had that day was my love and devotion to Jesus. All of the work I saw that needed to be done was good; but, I needed to settle for the best! The most important! I needed to choose Jesus.
Do you have days like me? You have every good intention to read your Bible and study, but the distractions of life get in the way, often pulling you away from your study time. Begin to quiet your heart and mind, setting aside dedicated time to connect with Jesus every day. When you prioritize this time for prayer and scripture, you begin to notice a remarkable transformation in your attitude and outlook. See how much better your day will go as you nurture your relationship with Christ. Even amidst chaos, those quiet moments can serve as a reminder of what truly matters.
Here is a beautiful song that I hope ministers to your heart….
This post was written by my mom, Beverly Dunn. Beverly resides with her husband, Tom, in Ohio. She has three children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, reading, and making memories.
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