One of the most compelling images I have seen of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is that of kids in a playground amidst the destruction. Despite the war that rages around them... they're completely engrossed in the game that they're playing.
Photo credit: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters
It is one of the things that is great about little kids. They are 100% engrossed in whatever it is they are doing at the time.
If they're playing with the trains... that's all they are doing. They're not worried about what other people are doing or trying to check their social media at the same time. They're not thinking about what is happening next, or what's for dinner, or what that person meant by that comment, or if they look good in the clothes they're wearing, or if there will be enough time to get done everything that needs to be done before the need to go...
Whether it is a toy or TV show or eating or writing on the walls! They're completely engaged in the whatever it is they are doing.
During the Wholehearted sermon series I've been wrestling with my level of distraction. The news of the world, the cares of this life, the opinions of others, the allure of pleasure... I find it all so easily pulls my attention away from God, His word and his purpose for my life and our church. And I'm left feeling halfhearted rather than wholehearted!
According to Hebrews, the answer isn't to try harder, to put in more effort, to muscle up and make yourself wholehearted by brute force of will power. No. It is to keep our eyes on Jesus.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Heb 12:1-3)
Keep fixing your eyes on Jesus so that you're not distracted, grow weary and lose heart. Keep fixing your eyes on Jesus so you can be wholehearted as one of his disciples.
Grace & peace,
Andrew