Distractions...

My wife often jokingly rebukes me about my love/hate relationship with football. She laughs when I get mad because my favorite team loses or does something stupid. She gets mad when I yell while watching the game, because in my excitement I awakened her "nap time". She also "gently" reminds me that I can spend 3 hours watching a game and totally ignore her. I emphatically try to reassure her that I've not ignored her for 3 hours, but then I inevitably get hit with a question that I can't answer. As I sit there pondering the reality that I just wasted 3 hours on something that is ultimately meaningless, I find my heart remorseful because I could have chosen something much greater in value. No matter how hard I try, I will never get that time back. In regard to time, regrettably, there are no "do overs".



The immediate temptation is to then go spend time with her, but if I am honest it isn't because I desire to be near her and to enjoy her company, it is usually guilt based and condemnation driven. When I am with her, I am reminded of all the reasons I love her and why we are best friends. Why didn't I just keep focused on her and not lose sight of what was important?



As I see the current state of the Church, I believe that many Christians are faced with this same issue...distractions. We know we have a "Lover" that is dying to spend time with us, but for some reason we are consumed with a distraction called "life". We're involved in many extra-cirricular activities with our children, church activites, and the responsibilities of home. We so easily set aside our intimate time with Him in order to take care of these obligations, and even more often set aside our time with other believers to take care of these. We then realize how empty we are and wonder why we don't "feel" part of the Church. Sometimes, this leads us to question why we even go to church and what is the point of being a part of it.


What is intended for our enjoyment and pleasure will soon turn into an idol if it becomes the priority of our lives. As Jesus walked this earth, that had to go through His mind. All the things He created were more important to the people than He was. He cried out for them to come to Him, but they were too distracted...I wonder, do we hear Him calling out to us? I sure hope so because I couldn't imagine how much it would hurt for Him to see us love His creation and merely tolerate being with Him.

My prayer for The Church is that we would lose sight of this world and its distractions, by catching a glimpse of Him....