Journeying to Grace

A few nights ago, I tried to watch shows on three different TV channels at the same time. I don’t have the ability to record programs, so that wasn’t an option. I don’t have a split screen feature, so that wasn’t possible either. The best I could do was flip back and forth from channel to channel. Usually when I miss a TV program or sports broadcast, I’m content with just reading a summary or watching excerpts online later, but (for whatever reason) not this time. Though I wouldn’t see any of the episodes completely, I would get the gist of each of them. However, as expected, because I wasn’t fully engaged in just a single show, I missed good, significant moments in one while I was paying attention to another. That’s okay when I’m flipping channels for entertainment, but not so much when I’m roaming back and forth between the concerns of the day, not focused on what is most important.

There are times we can too easily get lost in all-consuming ‘channels’ of plans, to-do lists, and (especially) worries running randomly, and maybe even chaotically, through our minds. When it becomes too much and too overwhelming, it feels like these channels are playing at the same time and demanding our attention, and it can be challenging to commit full focus to any of them. As frustration grows, there can be a lack of calm and the peace of mind it takes to filter through what is needed. Are we missing something significant when we lose focus on what is most important? Do we stop and take a prayerful moment to regain our mindful and spiritual composure? When there are so many things to worry about and tend to, how well do we engage fully with the one, true solution that is the Lord?

I hear the Lord’s words to His friend Martha: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part….” (Luke 10:41-42) When I am more faithful in these anxious and worried moments, I often realize I’m trying to work through these competing needs and simultaneous thoughts on my own. I too quickly identify what’s wrong instead of focusing on what’s right, what’s possible, and what’s being shown to me. Waiting in the mess of the many ‘channels’ we encounter is the one thing – the Lord with His bountiful grace, reaching out for us and inviting us to a better way.

As we faithfully put our hope and trust in Him, especially in our times of anxiety and worry, let us prayerfully choose the better part and allow the Lord’s grace to welcome us, work in us, and give us peace.