22.10.09

Distractions...a lesson from the Israelites.

Right now, I should be working on the glossary that's due tomorrow in Old Testament.
But instead...I'm blogging.
At least it's about something in the Old Testament?

Anyway...lately I've been distracted. For me, a certain person has been the cause of this....but it could be anything. Work. School. People. Anything that takes your mind away from where it needs to be.

I was thinking today about the Israelites. When God delivered them from Egypt with the ten plagues, parted the Red sea for their escape, guided them by a cloud and a pillar of fire......and then brought them to the promised land.

The promised land.

The place he told Abraham would be his.
The place they've all heard about, been dreaming about ever since they can remember.
The place where they will finally be free, live their lives how they want to, worship and serve God in a way that they've never been able to.

This is everything for them. It's what they've been waiting for.

So Moses sends some spies in, to take a look around....scout out this new land that they've come to claim.

Twelve of them.

Two came back with a good report. They said: Let's go! I can already taste the milk and honey!
The other ten....not so much. They were a bit....distracted. By the giants. (gulp)
Giants, they said. Huge ones! We can't possibly defeat them.

Never mind the fact that the God who led them there had parted an immense body of water and allowed them to walk through on dry land. The giants were quite obviously to big for them.

They were distracted. They took their eye off the prize.
They lost sight of what they were fighting for.
Their freedom. Their homes. Their lives.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is.....how many times have we become distracted from what God has asked us to do? Can you look back and pick out a time when you let the giants get the best of you...taken your mind off the goal that God has given to you?

Maybe it's time to refocus. Look past your giants, and you'll see the milk and honey.






And now, it's homework time. Good night.


5 comments:

  1. Agree. We're often distracted by the necessities of life. Sometimes, we get distracted by the worldly prizes too. I don't have to look into my past to see how often I was distracted. I'm even distracted now, resisting the cares, the 'carrots' dangling in front of me to stay focused on the work God has given me. :)

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  2. Wow! To use an old expression, "If I had a nickle for everytime" I got distracted, I would be rich.

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  3. I understand about distractions. Then I recall the comment that St. Theresa of Avila who was frequently distracted at prayer was all the more loved by God because she persisted in spite of the distractions.

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  4. Good morning,

    I was telling my wife last night that for so long my focus was on what the nation of Israel did wrong when they entered Caanan but the Lord has helped me see that I am no different. Too often, I've lost perspective of God's direction and relied on my own intelligence. I'm so very thankful for God's grace.

    My Thought-filled Journey

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  5. Wow! That was such a beautiful post/message! It really made me think a little. Great job.

    I hope you continue to blog I really love reading what you have to say. I will be back soon!

    Warmest wishes,
    Kendra

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