When I'm Busy
When I'm Busy: Finding Jesus in the Middle of a Full Life
Are We Getting Every Note Right but Missing the Music?
Luke 10:38–42
A few years ago, our church hired a praise band to lead worship. The musicians were talented. They hit every note and performed beautifully. But something was missing. Despite their technical skill, the beauty and emotion of the music seemed absent.
It made me think about something important: You can get every note right and still miss the music.
The same thing can happen in our lives. We can go through all the motions, accomplish everything on our calendars, and do everything we're supposed to do, yet still miss the meaning and purpose of life that Jesus offers us.
Jesus invites us into something deeper than simply doing things for God. He invites us into a personal, living relationship with Him.
That distinction matters, especially when life gets busy.
When Religion Becomes a Routine
Growing up, I attended a Catholic church. I want to be clear that the people there were wonderful; the issue wasn't Catholicism. The issue was my own understanding of faith.
There were a lot of motions involved in church life: sitting, standing, making the sign of the cross, and observing certain practices during Lent. I participated in these traditions for years, but eventually I realized that I didn't yet have the personal, living relationship with God that Jesus invites us to experience.
I thought faith was primarily about doing things for God. Then someone explained that I could actually know God personally.
That changed everything.
Christianity is not simply a list of religious activities or obligations. It's about knowing Jesus, learning what He loves, understanding His purposes, and allowing Him to transform the way we live.
We can attend church, volunteer, serve others, and remain busy with good things while missing the relationship at the heart of it all.
We can get every note right and still miss the music.
Martha and Mary: Two Ways of Being Near Jesus
In Luke 10:38–42, Jesus visits the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Their brother, Lazarus, is also part of this family, whom Jesus knows and loves.
As Jesus visits, Martha welcomes Him into her home. Mary, meanwhile, sits at the Lord's feet and listens to His teaching.
Martha is busy serving. Eventually, her frustration gets the better of her, and she approaches Jesus with a complaint:
“Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” (Luke 10:40, ESV)
Can't you picture the scene? Martha is working hard to take care of everything, while Mary appears to be sitting around doing nothing. Martha wants Jesus to step in and tell her sister to help.
But Jesus responds in an unexpected way:
“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.” (Luke 10:41–42, ESV)
Jesus isn't condemning service or suggesting that practical responsibilities don't matter. The problem is that Martha has become so distracted by everything she needs to do that she's missing the opportunity to be with Jesus.
You can be close to Jesus physically or religiously and still allow other things to pull your attention away from Him.
And that's not just Martha's problem. It's ours, too.
The Distraction of a Full Life
The word used to describe Martha's distraction conveys the idea of being pulled away in different directions. Doesn't that sound familiar?
Think about how often our attention is divided. We are managing work, family responsibilities, school schedules, relationships, finances, and a seemingly endless list of tasks. Even when we're home, our minds may still be at work, thinking about the next problem to solve or the next thing on the calendar.
Sometimes the people we love most are right in front of us, but our attention is somewhere else.
I know this from my own life. There have been times when I've been so preoccupied with work that my son has tried to get my attention, only to have to say, “Dad,” more than once before I respond.
I might be sitting right there with him, but my mind is occupied with something else.
That raises an important question: What happens when someone we love is physically close to us but never really has our attention?
Now consider an even more important question: What happens when Jesus is near, but we leave Him in the background of our lives?
We can be surrounded by Christian activities and still miss the relationship Jesus wants us to have with Him.
Here in Denver, it's easy to feel pulled in a thousand directions. Our calendars fill up, our ambitions compete for our attention, and we can become so focused on what comes next that we miss what matters most right now.
That's why the St. John's mission statement begins with a reality many of us recognize: In the midst of distraction and misplaced hope, we walk together toward renewed hope and life through Jesus Christ.
We know what it feels like to be distracted. But we don't have to let distraction define our lives.
A Relationship with Jesus Requires Intention
Luke tells us that Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to His teaching. This was a posture of learning and attentive listening.
Mary was intentional about being present with Jesus.
Think about any healthy relationship in your life. Whether it's a marriage, a friendship, or a relationship with your children, meaningful connection requires time and attention. Relationships don't grow simply because people happen to occupy the same space.
They grow when we make time for one another, listen carefully, and remain present.
Our relationship with God is no different.
We cannot expect to grow in our knowledge of Jesus while continually pushing Him to the margins of our lives. A meaningful relationship with Him involves intentionally making room to hear His Word, learn His character, and understand His purposes for us.
That might mean setting aside time to read Scripture before the day gets busy. It might mean praying during a quiet moment rather than immediately reaching for your phone. It might mean gathering with other believers for worship and receiving God's Word together.
The goal isn't to add another obligation to an already crowded schedule. It's to make room for the relationship that gives our lives meaning.
When I began paying attention to what Jesus was teaching, I realized that I had known about Him without really knowing Him. I hadn't fully understood what He loved, what He called me to do, or how He wanted to shape my priorities.
Listening to Jesus began to change that.
The more we listen to Him, the more we begin to understand who He is—and who He is calling us to become.
More Than Knowing About Jesus
There's an important difference between knowing about Jesus and allowing Him to influence our lives.
In James 2:17, we read that faith without works is dead. Jesus also asks in Luke 6:46, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”
These passages remind us that faith is meant to shape how we live. Jesus isn't simply someone we acknowledge on Sunday while leaving the rest of our lives unchanged.
But this raises another question: What is the foundation for a life transformed by Jesus?
It's not simply trying harder to do the right things. It's receiving what He has already done for us.
Jesus is our Savior and Lord. He gives us a new identity, a new purpose, and the promise of eternal life. As we receive His love and listen to His Word, our priorities begin to change. We learn to see our lives and the people around us differently.
Following Jesus is not about maintaining a religious appearance. It's about belonging to Him and allowing His love to transform us from the inside out.
The One Thing We Cannot Afford to Miss
When Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen the good portion, He isn't saying that work is bad or that serving others is unimportant.
He's showing Martha what matters most.
Imagine a Sunday morning at church. Musicians rehearse, slides are prepared, sound equipment is checked, greeters welcome people at the door, and volunteers prepare Communion. Many people work behind the scenes to make worship possible.
All of those things matter. But imagine if everyone were so busy preparing for worship that no one actually worshiped.
We could get every detail right and still miss the purpose.
Worship is not simply something we produce or perform. It is also an opportunity to receive from God—to hear the good news of His love, receive His forgiveness, and be reminded of what Jesus has done for us.
This is the good portion Mary chose.
And it's the gift Jesus offers Martha, too.
Jesus doesn't tell Martha that she must work harder, organize better, or finish her responsibilities before she can receive His love. He invites her to recognize what she is missing.
The same invitation is extended to us.
When our schedules become overwhelming and our minds are filled with worries, Jesus reminds us that our relationship with Him is not another task to complete. It is the place where we receive the grace, hope, and peace we cannot create for ourselves.
You Don't Have to Earn God's Love
Perhaps one of the most important things to understand about spending time with Jesus is this: You don't spend time with Him to earn His love. You spend time with Him to enjoy His presence.
Think about a healthy relationship with someone who loves you. You don't spend time together simply to earn their affection. You spend time together because the relationship itself is valuable.
God's love for you is even more secure.
Ephesians 5 describes Christ's sacrificial love for the Church. Jesus gave Himself for His people, demonstrating a love that cleanses, restores, and makes us His own.
He knows our weaknesses. He sees our sin. And yet, He came to rescue us.
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus saves us from sin and death and brings us into an everlasting relationship with Him.
You don't have to finish your to-do list before coming to Jesus. You don't have to prove your worth or make yourself good enough to deserve His attention.
His love is a gift.
And as we receive that love, it begins to overflow into the rest of our lives. We become better equipped to love our families, serve our neighbors, care for our coworkers, and show compassion to people who are hurting.
We don't serve others to earn God's love. We serve because we have already been loved by Him.
Taking a First Step Toward Jesus
What if you're not sure where to begin? What if you realize that you've been busy with life but haven't really made room to know Jesus?
Start with a small step.
Perhaps that means finding a local church where you can hear God's Word and grow in faith. Perhaps it means opening the Gospel of John and reading about who Jesus is and what He has done.
You don't have to change everything overnight. Begin by making room to listen.
Set aside a few minutes to read Scripture. Spend time in prayer. Join other believers for worship. Ask questions and seek to understand what Jesus is saying to you.
The goal isn't to add another item to your schedule. It's to discover the relationship that gives everything else its proper place.
Jesus invites you to know Him personally. His love does not run out, and His grace does not grow old.
When Life Gets Busy, Choose What Matters Most
Martha's story reminds us that even good things can distract us from what matters most. We can become so focused on serving, achieving, and keeping everything together that we forget to receive the love of the One who gives our lives meaning.
Mary shows us another way: to pause, listen, and be present with Jesus.
We will always have responsibilities. Our calendars will fill up again. There will always be another task to finish or another problem to solve.
But in the middle of all that activity, Jesus invites us to remember that we belong to Him.
He has given Himself for us. He offers forgiveness, hope, and eternal life. And He calls us into a relationship that transforms not only our Sundays, but every part of our lives.
At St. John's, we believe that even in the midst of distraction and misplaced hope, we can walk together toward renewed hope and life through Jesus Christ.
You can get every note right and still miss the music. Don't let the busyness of life cause you to miss the joy of knowing Jesus.
Are We Getting Every Note Right but Missing the Music?
Luke 10:38–42
A few years ago, our church hired a praise band to lead worship. The musicians were talented. They hit every note and performed beautifully. But something was missing. Despite their technical skill, the beauty and emotion of the music seemed absent.
It made me think about something important: You can get every note right and still miss the music.
The same thing can happen in our lives. We can go through all the motions, accomplish everything on our calendars, and do everything we're supposed to do, yet still miss the meaning and purpose of life that Jesus offers us.
Jesus invites us into something deeper than simply doing things for God. He invites us into a personal, living relationship with Him.
That distinction matters, especially when life gets busy.
When Religion Becomes a Routine
Growing up, I attended a Catholic church. I want to be clear that the people there were wonderful; the issue wasn't Catholicism. The issue was my own understanding of faith.
There were a lot of motions involved in church life: sitting, standing, making the sign of the cross, and observing certain practices during Lent. I participated in these traditions for years, but eventually I realized that I didn't yet have the personal, living relationship with God that Jesus invites us to experience.
I thought faith was primarily about doing things for God. Then someone explained that I could actually know God personally.
That changed everything.
Christianity is not simply a list of religious activities or obligations. It's about knowing Jesus, learning what He loves, understanding His purposes, and allowing Him to transform the way we live.
We can attend church, volunteer, serve others, and remain busy with good things while missing the relationship at the heart of it all.
We can get every note right and still miss the music.
Martha and Mary: Two Ways of Being Near Jesus
In Luke 10:38–42, Jesus visits the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Their brother, Lazarus, is also part of this family, whom Jesus knows and loves.
As Jesus visits, Martha welcomes Him into her home. Mary, meanwhile, sits at the Lord's feet and listens to His teaching.
Martha is busy serving. Eventually, her frustration gets the better of her, and she approaches Jesus with a complaint:
“Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” (Luke 10:40, ESV)
Can't you picture the scene? Martha is working hard to take care of everything, while Mary appears to be sitting around doing nothing. Martha wants Jesus to step in and tell her sister to help.
But Jesus responds in an unexpected way:
“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.” (Luke 10:41–42, ESV)
Jesus isn't condemning service or suggesting that practical responsibilities don't matter. The problem is that Martha has become so distracted by everything she needs to do that she's missing the opportunity to be with Jesus.
You can be close to Jesus physically or religiously and still allow other things to pull your attention away from Him.
And that's not just Martha's problem. It's ours, too.
The Distraction of a Full Life
The word used to describe Martha's distraction conveys the idea of being pulled away in different directions. Doesn't that sound familiar?
Think about how often our attention is divided. We are managing work, family responsibilities, school schedules, relationships, finances, and a seemingly endless list of tasks. Even when we're home, our minds may still be at work, thinking about the next problem to solve or the next thing on the calendar.
Sometimes the people we love most are right in front of us, but our attention is somewhere else.
I know this from my own life. There have been times when I've been so preoccupied with work that my son has tried to get my attention, only to have to say, “Dad,” more than once before I respond.
I might be sitting right there with him, but my mind is occupied with something else.
That raises an important question: What happens when someone we love is physically close to us but never really has our attention?
Now consider an even more important question: What happens when Jesus is near, but we leave Him in the background of our lives?
We can be surrounded by Christian activities and still miss the relationship Jesus wants us to have with Him.
Here in Denver, it's easy to feel pulled in a thousand directions. Our calendars fill up, our ambitions compete for our attention, and we can become so focused on what comes next that we miss what matters most right now.
That's why the St. John's mission statement begins with a reality many of us recognize: In the midst of distraction and misplaced hope, we walk together toward renewed hope and life through Jesus Christ.
We know what it feels like to be distracted. But we don't have to let distraction define our lives.
A Relationship with Jesus Requires Intention
Luke tells us that Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to His teaching. This was a posture of learning and attentive listening.
Mary was intentional about being present with Jesus.
Think about any healthy relationship in your life. Whether it's a marriage, a friendship, or a relationship with your children, meaningful connection requires time and attention. Relationships don't grow simply because people happen to occupy the same space.
They grow when we make time for one another, listen carefully, and remain present.
Our relationship with God is no different.
We cannot expect to grow in our knowledge of Jesus while continually pushing Him to the margins of our lives. A meaningful relationship with Him involves intentionally making room to hear His Word, learn His character, and understand His purposes for us.
That might mean setting aside time to read Scripture before the day gets busy. It might mean praying during a quiet moment rather than immediately reaching for your phone. It might mean gathering with other believers for worship and receiving God's Word together.
The goal isn't to add another obligation to an already crowded schedule. It's to make room for the relationship that gives our lives meaning.
When I began paying attention to what Jesus was teaching, I realized that I had known about Him without really knowing Him. I hadn't fully understood what He loved, what He called me to do, or how He wanted to shape my priorities.
Listening to Jesus began to change that.
The more we listen to Him, the more we begin to understand who He is—and who He is calling us to become.
More Than Knowing About Jesus
There's an important difference between knowing about Jesus and allowing Him to influence our lives.
In James 2:17, we read that faith without works is dead. Jesus also asks in Luke 6:46, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”
These passages remind us that faith is meant to shape how we live. Jesus isn't simply someone we acknowledge on Sunday while leaving the rest of our lives unchanged.
But this raises another question: What is the foundation for a life transformed by Jesus?
It's not simply trying harder to do the right things. It's receiving what He has already done for us.
Jesus is our Savior and Lord. He gives us a new identity, a new purpose, and the promise of eternal life. As we receive His love and listen to His Word, our priorities begin to change. We learn to see our lives and the people around us differently.
Following Jesus is not about maintaining a religious appearance. It's about belonging to Him and allowing His love to transform us from the inside out.
The One Thing We Cannot Afford to Miss
When Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen the good portion, He isn't saying that work is bad or that serving others is unimportant.
He's showing Martha what matters most.
Imagine a Sunday morning at church. Musicians rehearse, slides are prepared, sound equipment is checked, greeters welcome people at the door, and volunteers prepare Communion. Many people work behind the scenes to make worship possible.
All of those things matter. But imagine if everyone were so busy preparing for worship that no one actually worshiped.
We could get every detail right and still miss the purpose.
Worship is not simply something we produce or perform. It is also an opportunity to receive from God—to hear the good news of His love, receive His forgiveness, and be reminded of what Jesus has done for us.
This is the good portion Mary chose.
And it's the gift Jesus offers Martha, too.
Jesus doesn't tell Martha that she must work harder, organize better, or finish her responsibilities before she can receive His love. He invites her to recognize what she is missing.
The same invitation is extended to us.
When our schedules become overwhelming and our minds are filled with worries, Jesus reminds us that our relationship with Him is not another task to complete. It is the place where we receive the grace, hope, and peace we cannot create for ourselves.
You Don't Have to Earn God's Love
Perhaps one of the most important things to understand about spending time with Jesus is this: You don't spend time with Him to earn His love. You spend time with Him to enjoy His presence.
Think about a healthy relationship with someone who loves you. You don't spend time together simply to earn their affection. You spend time together because the relationship itself is valuable.
God's love for you is even more secure.
Ephesians 5 describes Christ's sacrificial love for the Church. Jesus gave Himself for His people, demonstrating a love that cleanses, restores, and makes us His own.
He knows our weaknesses. He sees our sin. And yet, He came to rescue us.
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus saves us from sin and death and brings us into an everlasting relationship with Him.
You don't have to finish your to-do list before coming to Jesus. You don't have to prove your worth or make yourself good enough to deserve His attention.
His love is a gift.
And as we receive that love, it begins to overflow into the rest of our lives. We become better equipped to love our families, serve our neighbors, care for our coworkers, and show compassion to people who are hurting.
We don't serve others to earn God's love. We serve because we have already been loved by Him.
Taking a First Step Toward Jesus
What if you're not sure where to begin? What if you realize that you've been busy with life but haven't really made room to know Jesus?
Start with a small step.
Perhaps that means finding a local church where you can hear God's Word and grow in faith. Perhaps it means opening the Gospel of John and reading about who Jesus is and what He has done.
You don't have to change everything overnight. Begin by making room to listen.
Set aside a few minutes to read Scripture. Spend time in prayer. Join other believers for worship. Ask questions and seek to understand what Jesus is saying to you.
The goal isn't to add another item to your schedule. It's to discover the relationship that gives everything else its proper place.
Jesus invites you to know Him personally. His love does not run out, and His grace does not grow old.
When Life Gets Busy, Choose What Matters Most
Martha's story reminds us that even good things can distract us from what matters most. We can become so focused on serving, achieving, and keeping everything together that we forget to receive the love of the One who gives our lives meaning.
Mary shows us another way: to pause, listen, and be present with Jesus.
We will always have responsibilities. Our calendars will fill up again. There will always be another task to finish or another problem to solve.
But in the middle of all that activity, Jesus invites us to remember that we belong to Him.
He has given Himself for us. He offers forgiveness, hope, and eternal life. And He calls us into a relationship that transforms not only our Sundays, but every part of our lives.
At St. John's, we believe that even in the midst of distraction and misplaced hope, we can walk together toward renewed hope and life through Jesus Christ.
You can get every note right and still miss the music. Don't let the busyness of life cause you to miss the joy of knowing Jesus.
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