“The only thing that consoles us for our miseries is distraction, yet that is the greatest of our wretchednesses. Becuase that is what mainly prevents us from thinking about ourselves and leads us imperceptibly to damnation. Without it we should be bored, and boredom would force us to search for a firmer way out, but distraction entertains us and leads us imperceptibly to death” (Pascal, Pensees, 10).

In Luke 10, Luke tells the story of Martha and Mary and what happened when Jesus entered a village:

³⁸ Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. ⁴⁰ 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.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Lk 10:38-42).

Martha was busy, busy, busy. She thought she was being helpful by being busy. But the Lord Jesus rebuked her. He told her she was “anxious and troubled about many things” (v. 41). On the other hand, Mary received the commendation from God. And what was that? That she (Mary) had chosen “the good portion” (v. 42). Mary, unlike Martha, rested in God. She didn’t get entangled with busyness for the sake of being busy. She cultivated fellowship with God. She quieted her soul in God. She didn’t fall prey to the web of endless distractions.

Encouragement: I do not think there has ever been a time in history when a culture can so easily drown in distraction as we have in our day. There’s simply no end of it. If you turn on the electronic device of your choice, the algorithms will send you down endless rivers of distraction. Literally, they’re endless. It’s the story of Martha and Mary amplified. Nothing has changed in that regard. We can either distract ourselves via endless media and entertainment or we can switch off and seek depth of mind and soul in God, in rest, in wisdom.