I really hate how prone I am to distraction. I often feel like “Buddy the Elf” or “Dory” as I get completely off track by things that sparkle. It frustrates me that I can have a wonderful quiet time and leave my home excited about all the opportunities to do good and then get preoccupied with my agenda, pleasure and busyness.
I really hate how this played out in my life yesterday.
Yesterday morning I was so blessed by these verses:
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (NKJV)
“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV)
“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 (NKJV)
When I got up off my knees, closed my bible and finished journaling, I felt such freedom and joy. I am so blessed to be saved and to have the opportunity to be a mom and wife and to have the means and opportunities to bless and encourage others… and it is Christmas!
After feeding the kids a healthy exam breakfast, I hustled out the door for a haircut and last minute shopping. I really enjoy everything about getting my hair done. It feels extravagant. My friend, Shirley takes the extravagance factor to a new level. She takes about 10 minutes to wash my hair and massage my head and neck. Yesterday, when she was finished, I cried happy tears. I left the Salon feeling merry, blonde and super sassy and in my self-absorption, I forgot all about being bold in the Spirit. My morning intention of looking for ways to bless others and encourage those in need was completely eclipsed by my selfishness and pride. Within an hour of leaving the salon, I ignored 2 pandering homeless people, filled my car with the sound of cuss words while trying to find a parking spot at Macy’s and got inwardly judgy and self-righteous when a sales clerk (while ringing up my purchase) felt compelled to remind me that the holiday is not about shopping. By the time I got to carpool, I recognized how I had blown it. Why didn’t I take the time out to encourage and bless the people on my path? I am not that busy and I have nothing to fear. What would it have been like to talk to that homeless woman and find a way for her to experience the blessing of getting her hair washed and neck massaged? Why didn’t I carry on the conversation with the saleswoman and talk about Jesus being the whole point of Christmas? What happens when we miss the opportunity?
I know why I got off track. I got consumed with myself. I enjoyed a little indulgence and then I over-indulged to the point of blindness. I think the reason we keep hearing the phrase, “Remember the Reason for the Season” is because we are all prone to get off track. We are blinded by pain or loneliness or busyness. We focus on ourselves or our lists or shortcomings. We are paralyzed by guilt or fear and we lose sight of everything important.
It isn’t a Christmas story, but this season, I am reminded of the apostle, Peter. When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, he jumped out of the boat. His eyes were set on Christ and He was full of joy and expectation. The minute he got distracted by his surroundings and circumstances, he began to sink.
When our eyes are set on Jesus, our steps are sure and we walk right into blessings.
Like Peter, I took my eyes off Jesus and my circumstances swallowed me up, but Jesus was and is there to pull me out. Peter refocused and finished his water-walk. I will continue to have the chance to encourage and bless others. I am thankful that in my blindness yesterday, I got an eye-opening lesson. It is always the season to be alert and keep our eyes open.
Before Peter died, he wrote encouraging letters to his Christian friends. He says that he has to keep reminding himself of the truth even though he knows the truth. He is aware of how easily we can all get distracted. (2 Peter 1:12-13) This fallible, eager to please, distracted disciple wrote encouraging words that have really helped this fallible, eager to please, distracted woman. I hope you will be encouraged too as we all try to sharpen our focus this season:
“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. “ 2 Peter 1:4
“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)