Building One Another

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Distraction as the Main Attraction!  

Dear Friend,

Many things distract us from what we are trying to do.

While we’d like the days leading up to Christmas to center on reflection and anticipation, we find ourselves distracted by the many demands of the season. We also become aware of crises in the lives of people we know and in situations around our country and world.

This is a good time to remember that sometimes what we feel are distractions are actually the main attraction.

Attending the sudden crisis of a friend or a family member is far more significant that finding the perfect gift or attending some annual event.

In the drama, the term “to throw focus” describes what happens when accidental noise in the audience or some unplanned move by someone on stage throws focus away from the main action at center stage.

We think whatever we are doing in life is the main action and center stage of our lives, yet when our Lord opens our eyes to the needs of people around us, instantly what may feel like the distraction of thrown focus becomes our center stage, our main focus. Our response is the heart of encouragement.

May our attention this Christmas be on the Lord of Christmas and upon the people our Lord came to love!

Joy to you - Stan

© Copyright 2021 E. Stanley Ott

1. What are the matters you believe to be your main focus, the center stage of your life right now?
2. What are the people, events and situations that seem to interuppt that center stage of your life?
3. What is our Lord calling you to do as you respond to what feels like a distraction but actually is the main attraction of your life right now?

Picture from IStockPhoto.com Stock photo ID:1289420859 Drazen Zigic