Seeing through the roses!

When I was younger I used to hear people telling you always to stop and smell the roses. I've thought about this over the years. Is stopping to smell the roses a distraction?

Today started out to be a extremely miserable looking day. It was gray and gloomy, there was even fog in the air that made things even more misty. Church had all the lights on and but because of the tinted windows it made outside look even gloomier.

But there was Warmth! There was a fire, deep inside our hearts as we began to praise God in our sanctuary. The room was lit with the hearts and songs of our church members. Our Pastor gave an awesome, invigorating sermon.

Were the gray skies and gloominess a distraction? I took count of the second service and noticed that the number was a little down today. Did our members and guests decide not to come because of the weather? It's a shame that some people missed what God did at church today.

It's amazing the things the Devil does to keep us down and distracted. I brings people into our lives to bring us away from our goals. I know that one of my good friends is struggling with this one right now. When can you decide that a person is too much of a distraction? Can you decide to not focus on the distraction? How can you cut the distraction out of your life if that happens to be your friend?

We are all masters of distracting ourselves and others from what really matters. How do we know when we are being distracted. How can we keep ourselves in check?

Luke 10: 38-42 NIV

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Mary chose what is better. She chose Jesus. Instead of giving into the distractions, she gave into Jesus. Instead of worrying about others, she focused on her relationship with her Lord.

If we continue to focus on God. We will be more able to discern the distractions. That is all we need!

Lord,

Help us to see through the distractions, help us to keep walking down the path with our focus. Keep us safe and in your care.

Brie!