Distraction

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

"Distractions can really be a pain, Bra"! (That's Hawaiian for "brother"), I was speaking to my new Hawaiian friend, Bill, while surfing the third break off Waikiki Beach. He stated that he was a follower of Jesus living in Honolulu, a retired Police Officer from San Diego. I learned that he went to Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego where another fellow surfer, Mike McIntosh, serves as senior pastor. But, my new surfer friend said it was about 25 years ago. He sort of said it apologetically, which he did not need to do, but I guess he felt he needed too cause he had been distracted by the things of the world. Especially living amongst the Hawaiian pleasures which he said had drawn him away from God's Holy Word.

We both caught a couple of nice five footers, long rides and a long paddle back out! I came alongside of his board and suggested simply that maybe he might make a U-Turn back to the Word! He appreciated my distraction that was leading him back to the full life Christ promises. The Apostle John in his gospel in chapter 10 and verse 10. Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

You know, we could name thousands of distractions if we had the time. A persistent fly buzzing in our ears. The alarm shrill on Monday morning. But, what is a distraction anyway? Self was doing its thing and most happy doing it when something interrupted the all-important self. "How rude!" JaJa Bing would so eloquently say from the Star Wars series. Interruption is not the way of human nature at all. The way of the world has a central focus, which is on self. It, "the self" gives permission to be interrupted, when it is convenient for the "self". However, when the Christian gives self, which by the way was crucified with Christ, self no longer lives. My dear Christian friend, when you allow the distractions of the world to take you away from the Word, as my surfer buddy had done, you become as the Apostle Paul stated to the Galatians in Chapter 3 verse 1, Paul said that they had been "bewitched." The evil one desires to distract Christians by the pleasures of the world, pride of life, lust of the flesh, all to distract the Christian away from the truth of God's Holy Word.

Have you been distracted from your daily devotions, your devotion to daily prayer? (Colossians 4:2) Get the sword out and swat that distracting gnat out of your ear, out of your sight, and be refreshed in your inner person today. No more distraction from God's best for my Hawaiian surfer friend, for you or for me. The best for us is in Christ Jesus - look into His Word and He will meet you there.

Your Attitude of Fortitude determines your Outcome.

Love,

Chappy

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