Chapter 10 of Luke’s gospel presents to us two sisters with contrasting personalities. One was Martha and the other Mary. A visit by Jesus to their abode showed how vastly different they were. Martha was all over the places trying to impress the Master with her culinary skill, but Mary sat to absorb divine wisdom through what He taught. Martha wanted to enlist her sister’s help in the various chores, so she requested Jesus to order Mary to her side. She got a rude reply as seen in our text. Jesus dug deep into the boisterous nature of Martha when He said she was “worried and troubled” about many things. It would seem therefore that the problem with her was not just the dinner she was making, she had broken focus as a lifestyle.

There is an interesting Danish proverb that says, “If you would be Pope you must think of nothing else”. Being Pope comes with enormous responsibilities that require a hundred per cent attention. I think it is not becoming Pope alone that calls for undivided attention. You need focus to have a meaningful walk with God as a believer. It is for this reason that we are enjoined not to love the world or the things in it. The love of the world will distract you from loving God completely. Focus is non-negotiable to make a mark of your calling. Jesus showed the example of being focused. He was asked to come and adjudicate over the family inheritance of two brothers, but He refused. He was sought by popular demand to be made king; He ran from them. While none of these was evil in any real sense, they did not align with why He came. The things that will like to steal your focus may not be anything sinful outright, so you must be discerning.