Paying Attention

Some days, I am busy but not real focused. For instance, today I was out visiting some folks. I then traveled to State College and then back to Mifflin county to visit some more folks. As I sat in construction traffic and not waiting with quite as much patience as I would like to claim, I jammed the shift lever into park and zoned out. It is difficult to wait in traffic and keep focused on our task. I zoned out to avoid thinking harsh thoughts about road construction workers and flagpeople. NOTE: Zoning out can be helpful and dangerous at the same time.

Have you ever wondered how spiders travel to some of the strangest places? Okay, I will tell you. The little critters turn their derriere to the wind and let web float into the air. Wind currents gently lift the spiders into the atmosphere and they are carried to who knows where. This 'ballooning' technique is fascinating to me.

Today as I sat on the exit ramp to Burnham, I watched a web stream across my windshield (the spider kind; not the internet kind). I located the tiny spider on the end of the web. It bounced on the windshield and then the wind picked it up and began to move it further across the expanse of glass and then it was gone floating away to an unknown destination.

As I sat there wondering where it would finally alight, I was shocked back to reality. The flagperson finally allowed our line of traffic to proceed and I was left sitting there trying to get my vehicle back into gear. You may be aware of the brake pedal sensor that must be activated before the shift lever will move. Yes, well, in my panic to get moving, I was wrenching on the lever to no avail. I glanced in the rearview and could see the cars behind me. I bet they were thinking harsh thoughts about me.

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this:

If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept

watch and would not have let his house be broken into." (Matthew 24:42-43, NIV)

The same scenario will occur to many who have never submitted to Jesus. They will be traveling through life wondering and attending to things that have no eternal value and then Christ will return. When Jesus told his disciples to keep watch, he wanted them to pay attention and teach the same. Apostle Paul echoed the same warning in this letter to the church.

"Now, brothers (and sisters), about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very

well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and

safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not

escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief."

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-4, NIV)

Don't let distractions and darkness of this world divert your eyes and heart away from Jesus, no matter how long He tarries.

PS: In my case, I refocused, depressed the brake pedal, shifted into drive and was on my way. Today, say yes to Jesus while you are still able.