Flinty

Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, I'm tired, and it's getting
late. I think I'll go to bed."
She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day's lunches,
rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for supper the
following evening, checked the cereal box levels, filled the sugar
container, put spoons and bowls on the table and started the coffee pot for
brewing the next morning.
She then put some wet clothes into the dryer, put a load of clothes into the
wash, ironed a shirt and secured a loose button. She picked up the
newspapers strewn on the floor, picked up the game pieces left on the table
and put the telephone book back into the drawer. She watered the plants,
emptied a wastebasket and hung up a towel to dry. She yawned and stretched
and headed for the bedroom. She stopped by the desk and wrote a note to the
teacher, counted out some cash for the field trip, and pulled a textbook out
from hiding under the chair. She signed a birthday card for a friend,
addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery
store. She put both near her purse. Mom then creamed her face, put on
moisturizer, brushed and flossed her teeth and trimmed her nails.
Hubby called, "I thought you were going to bed."
"I'm on my way," she said.
She put some water into the dog's dish and put the cat outside, then made
sure the doors were locked. She looked in on each of the kids and turned out
a bedside lamp, hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks in the hamper, and
had a brief conversation with the one up still doing homework. In her own
room, she set the alarm, laid out clothing for the next day, straightened up
the shoe rack. She added three things to her list of things to do for
tomorrow. About that time, the hubby turned off the TV and announced to no
one in particular "I'm going to bed," and he did.

While a very cute analogy on the differences between men and women the point I am trying to make is, Mom got distracted.

Distraction.  I am beginning to think it is the evil of destiny.  Opportunities abound but we miss them.  Why?  We become distraction.  "I would go on that mission trip but I don't have the money."  The Holy Spirit nudges us to save $10 a week but ... we see something we want to buy instead. ... distracted.

Holy Spirit wakes us up early to pray but, we walk in the kitchen to make coffee and end up sorting clean dishes or washing dishes.  Thirty minutes later you realize you have to get ready for work or risk being late ... distracted.

We set aside a Saturday afternoon to read and study the Word of God but our best friend, we haven't talked to in a month calls and two hours later we realize the call has taken up most of our afternoon ... distracted.

Nothing evil about anything we did, in the distraction.

Nothing wrong with what we did, when we were distracted.

We all have these moments and situations, probably daily. 

It's no big deal, right?

Or is it?

Luke 9:51

51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

 

In another passage, Isaiah 50: 7 it describes (prophesys) Jesus behavior, at this point,

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.

 

What if Jesus had been distracted?

 

If we "take a step back" and look at the whole chapter (Luke 9) this is what we see.  Jesus is telling his disciples about His death (no doubt looking for comfort and encouragement) and getting rebuked.  Twice he tried to discuss it with them and both times they not only didn't support Him they argued with Him.  The disciples start arguing about who is the greatest, he tries to minister in Samaria and the whole town rejects Him.  Ouch!  Lastly, in this chapter, people begin "fawning over Him" telling Him, "I will follow You wherever You go."

 

Distractions.  Major Distractions.

 

What follows in the next few chapters of Luke is Christ's extensive teaching followed by His triumphant entry into Jerusaleum and his arrest and death.

 

What would have happened if He had allowed Himself to be distracted?

 

We would be lost, for sure.

 

And, yes, Jesus could have been.  He was still human.  If He had to "strengthen His resolve" we surely will, too.  He had the same temptations we do, the Bible tells us.  But, He overcame them and showed us how to also. 

 

While our (seemingly insignificant) distractions may not endanger the world, they can hurt God's purposes for you or someone else.

 

Let's think about one of the instances above ... Holy Spirit wakes us to pray ... we become distracted.  We think, "No big deal.  My prayers don't matter that much."  But, Holy Spirit needed your prayer to bring salvation to a lost person or maybe to deter a tragic accident in someone's life or maybe to encourage a lonely pastor ministering to the next Billy Graham or maybe to strengthen your spouse from betraying you.

 

Not so little a distraction, now, huh?

 

We don't know.  And, that's just it, we don't know but if Holy Spirit requests something from us.  It is important.  There is a reason.  We must be determined to ignore distractions because satan will give us plenty.

 

There is also some interesting thoughts on Flint.

 

One of the strongest metals.  When iron, steel, etc are struck against it it creates a spark and can start a fire! 

 

God wants to start a fire in our world ... let Him use you ... don't be distracted.