It was an ordinary day at the dog park in Plantation. My canine companion was enjoying the sunshine and splashing in the shallow end of the man-made lake. Bessie was fully invested in the moment, and I was allowing my mind the rare treat of relaxation when it happened. Something had caught her eye and inspired her to scale a tree (I had no idea that dogs could perform this dangerous feat) and she fell headlong into the lake! My mind went to a worst-case scenario as I entertained the idea that gators were lurking near the area. Thankfully, she could swim, and she safely made it to the shore. However, she did not learn her lesson. This dog park permitted four legged friends to run unleashed and RUN SHE DID. Her entire body was shaking as her rat terrier hunting instincts kicked in--she was mesmerized by a squirrel and four people were no match for her boundless energy and determination.
How often are we, like my squirrel-obsessed dog, distracted by momentary circumstances? Unfortunately, the tech industry knows (all too well) that most people have the attention span of a goldfish. If you are still reading this post, you are the exception. Social media and news industry are designed to prioritize convenience and shock value over depth or quality of content. Unfortunately, many churches have bought into the idea that they must conform to these "norms" and shorten the worship, invest in fog machines, and hypnotize the congregation with eye catching graphics instead of pressing into the presence of God. The pressure is real, and I understand the desire to remain relevant. We live in the age of instant gratification. However, natural and spiritual relationships require time to deepen. Too often, we are prone to stray rather than locking in and staying focused on our real purpose.
Have you ever tried to shop with a young child in tow? Their eyes wander everywhere, and they break free at a moment's notice when a new game or flashing lights come into view. The Children of Israel became distracted by doubt, and that detour added forty years to their travel time. God is merciful, but this self-sabotaging behavior is not a recipe for success. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he fell into the water instead of walking on the waves. I became curious about the frequent mention of sheep as "wanderers" in the Bible and I learned that they rarely walk in straight lines due to the awkward positioning of their eyes. They rely on the shepherd because despite strong peripheral vision, they struggle with the path that is directly ahead of them. They find sudden noises to be very unsettling and respond best to a calm and gentle demeaner; fear can elicit erratic behavior in sheep.
June is a pivotal month because the 2022 graduates will soon cross the stage and lay claim to destiny. In a few weeks, fathers will also be celebrated for their leadership and love. Focused discipline is the essential ingredient for a successful academic endeavor or a happy home. Distractions cause division and limit our productivity--so many people never reach their potential because the chaotic noise of the moment is louder than the still small voice urging them onward. Perhaps, the gut-wrenching events in Texas have stolen your peace and obscured your view of The Peacemaker. Through the haze, there are hands outstretched and you will become disoriented unless you fix your gaze intently there. Seek out the signs that say "HOPE" and take more frequent breaks from the bad news. Eagles focus on the storm for a very different reason: they plan to use turbulence as fuel for flight. So, swear off squirrels!
Proverbs 4:25 MSG
Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions.
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