Distraction Attraction

Based on 2 Samuel 12-13, Luke 16

It is so easy to sway from our priority lists when something else looks more attractive, more fun, or easier than the task at hand. One thing Ryan & I were just discussing is how we can come up with a better system for the big tasks around the house, like dishes & laundry...seeing it in "piled-up" form draws us into immediate action, but we are not so good at the minimal maintenance it takes to keep it from getting piled up in the first place...but doing the little really helps lighten the load of the big job! And so we shouldn't be letting it slide down the priority list when it looks little...because it's just a giant in disguise!

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." Luke 16:10.

We need to have our priorities straight. We need to be faithful in everything we do! Yes, sometimes there are more important things than dishes & laundry. Sometimes, other things must come first on the priority list. But sometimes, it's just a simple de-motivation to stick to a simple goal. We need to do all as unto The Lord! Whether it be household chores, or something as big as being faithful to our spouses, families & our God!

"And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him." 2 Samuel 12:4

Nathan the Prophet came to visit David to prophesy unto him that the affair David had with Bathsheba was known to The Lord. God sees everything; especially our hearts! Nathan used a story of stealing a sheep to show David the evil behind what he did, and even David agreed that this person deserved to be punished...and then he was told that person was himself! David was greatly repentant & forgiven, but his actions did not come without consequences:

"Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 11Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun." 2 Samuel 12:9-12

All things we do, or avoid, have consequences...whether it be a pile of dishes & laundry, or a pile of family drama, we have to really examine our priority lists and see if we are falling victim to the attraction of distraction! Are we letting our desire for entertainment and fun override the importance of other things in our lives? And how about our relationship with God? Our connection with Him is more important than anything, because the best life maintenance comes from The Lord! When we turn to Him first, He will order our steps & help us to keep our eyes straight ahead, keeping the main thing the main thing!

"Let all things be done decently and in order." 2 Corinthians 14:40.