I’m Listening—Really?

        

        

            Do you get distracted? I do. As I sit at the dinner table, I focus my attention on a robin in the birdbath. “Go ahead,” I tell my husband, who’s trying to share something, “I’m listening.” Really?  Who am I kidding? On a mission in Wal-Mart a few weeks ago I was almost instantly pulled off course by a valance, which I knew would be great for the kitchen window.  To be honest, we were shopping for toilet seats and a filter for our heating system. Can you blame me? Well, I get distracted! I’m easily moved off course by what others are saying, doing, and asking of me. Sometimes the distractions are worthy of time because I care about what people say, do, and ask. Sometimes, however, I get far away from what I am or should be doing. Does that happen to you, too?

            In the past year, I have been slowly reading through a commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew has never been my favorite gospel. I’m rather fond of the Gospel of Mark, because Mark was a bottom-line kind of writer. My snail-paced read, however, has helped me see how focused Jesus Christ was when he lived on earth. He passionately pursued his assignment to reveal his father to mankind and moved relentlessly toward the cross where he would die to redeem fallen humanity. He didn’t get distracted by the Roman government, he didn’t let the religious leaders of the day derail him with their system of rules, and he didn’t even let individuals throw up smokescreens when he talked with them. He cut to the heart of the matter—how each person could know God by restored fellowship through the cross. Now that is focus and purpose.

            How do I follow that example? By hanging out with God.  Oh,no! That takes discipline, and like I said, I get distracted, even from the most important things. But I’m going to keep working at that, because if Jesus hung out with God, how can I do less?  Seeking out God’s purpose for my life every day isn’t easy. Evaluating distractions, recognizing that some are of my own making while others can be sent by God, is challenging.  As I continue to contemplate the life of Christ and marvel at his single-mindedness—always living, revealing, and serving his father—I hunger to mirror his focus and purpose. While I may often be distracted from imitating the single-mindedness of the Savior, it is an enormous relief that is he committed to teaching me how to do that day by day, distraction by distraction.