Eloise couldn’t believe her luck. She’d chosen Paradise for the trip because it was supposed to be remote, cool, beautiful, and close to Lake Superior, the next best thing to an ocean-side resort. The risk of shark attacks was greatly reduced here. It was also far from people like her.
Apparently, not far enough. Back home, near Detroit, she’d been forced to tolerate undesirables. Because Eloise’s husband, Edward, was pastor of their prestigious church, these people invaded every space possible in Eloise’s life: church, Bible study, life group, the children’s soccer games, school functions, the soup kitchen … the list could go on forever and eternity would never dim the stench they left trailing them.
And now, this woman. Eloise could almost see the cloud of vapor that swirled about her person. Maybe that’s why her skin seemed slightly tinged with green and her smile produced yellow with black speckled teeth. It was doubtful she’d ever been shown a comb, let alone taught how to use one. It was impossible to know whether she was a dirty blond, or if her blond was just that … filthy.
Even the shores of Whitefish Bay—supposedly one of the most amazing places to visit in Northern Michigan—couldn’t insulate Eloise and her family from those less … er … fortunate, apparently. They might be ensconced in family feuding and sibling wars, but at least they were out of sight and out of danger of soiling the pristine Christian image she and her family had worked tirelessly to paint in Detroit.
McClean State Park @ Sunset 2007
Eloise chewed on her lip. She had to get the family to quit quarreling long enough to escape into their Suburban before the woman saw them and came to ask for money. The children scowled at each other after threats over who’d pay the most for taking the best seats in their SUV. Eloise’s husband, apparently oblivious to any impending doom, rocked on his heels at the shore’s edge, hands jammed in his pockets. “Edward.” Eloise finally caught his attention, and she nodded in the direction of their abhorrent invasion. “We really must go. Now.”
He looked in the direction of Eloise’s sideways glance, and grinned. His eyes sparkled with that look that always spoke of trouble for Eloise. She knew what would happen next might seal the family’s fate for the rest of eternity. “Don’t even think about it, Edward.”
“What? She must be lost.” He turned from Eloise and walked further from the safety of their vehicle. “Hello, there.”
The woman’s lips curled into what appeared to be a smile, though it was a wobbly one. If the whitening streaks forming on her face were any indication, her smile was melting into a full-on cry.
Edward cast a glance over his shoulder. “Eloise, you can go ahead and take the kids back to the hotel, if you’d like. But I think this woman needs a friend.”
Eloise knew her husband well enough to know he wasn’t releasing her to escape, but imploring her to see beyond the looking glass and catch a glimpse of the heart. She looked over to where her children waited, impatiently. There wasn’t enough room.
Was there?
“No,” The woman spoke, her voice a squeak behind her tears. “It’s okay. I just wanted to say how beautiful your family is.”
Of course their family was beautiful. Eloise had worked long and hard to keep it that way. It wouldn’t be prudent to soil that image now. She turned a stone-throwing glare at her husband. “Don’t you think we should go? The children are hungry.”
“Yes, of course.” He reached out a hand towards the woman. “I’m Edward. Do you live up here?”
Eloise should’ve known better. Even in the remotest parts of the world, Edward would find a way to extend his clean hand towards someone. Even an ugly, foul-smelling tourist.
“Naw. I don’t live nowhere.”
That was all it took. Edward had the woman sandwiched between our older two children, refusing to take no for an answer on his invitation to lunch. His piercing gaze silenced any cries of annoyance over their discomfort. He climbed into the driver’s seat and gripped Eloise’s hand, a silent challenge to check her heart’s thermostat. She would either comply or be left seething over her husband’s lack of tourism etiquette in exchange for his pastoral heart.
My daughter was 4-years old, and she needed surgery. They had us admitted a day early to prep her, likely because they knew that if getting an adult to drink go-litely was difficult, this set of young parents would certainly need backup with their small child.
And they weren't wrong. No coaxing or bribery would work. We would need a nasogastric (NG) tube in order to pass that liquid past the taste buds and into her stomach.
I laughed when the young resident told us he was going to place this device and asked if he had help on the way. He was confident he didn't need help. She was small. Right?
Within minutes, about 6 people wearing scrubs came into the room. Two at her hands, two at her feet, and the other two ready to help place the NG-tube.
She was an impenetrable wall. Until she tried to distract them with a story. And it worked. They listened. They laughed. Then she laughed and relaxed. And they swooped down, and before she knew what was happening, they had the NG-tube in place.
She needed a distraction in that moment, for her own good.
But how often do we seek out or embrace distractions when stressors in our lives feel too weighty, or we just want a break?
There are some instances when distractions are beneficial.
However, as we grow in Christ, distractions take on a different form. Some would call it self-medicating, be it alcohol, drugs, or the more acceptable vices like shopping. Please don't misunderstand. There is nothing inherently wrong with shopping IF for the right reasons. Binge-watching television, sleep, books ... anything that numbs us, or distracts us from the pain or trial staring us down on the other side of the room.
According to Biblehub.com, distractions can be "the most significant threat to spiritual growth and devotion." And we can see the truth of this in these three stories:
Martha (Luke 10:38-42)
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."
But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." (ESV)
The parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-10, 18-23)
On the same day, Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
Then He spoke many things: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
... Therefore, hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, immediately he stumbles. Now, he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (NKJV)
Peter (Matthew 14:22-32)
Immediately, Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now, when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
Now, in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.
But immediately, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."
So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
And immediately, Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. (NKJV)
And I am certain there are others to be found. But for now, I would like to share a few thoughts. Each story has one thing in common. Distractions and their effect on the individual.
1. Martha's distraction was serving. She had welcomed Jesus to her home and likely enjoyed being a hostess. But this time, the only thing she seemed to notice was her sister's lack of concern for the business of caring for their guests. Martha was stuck doing all the work. And Martha allowed her joy of hosting guests to be robbed from her as she grumbled about her sister. I believe this is what Jesus meant when He said, "Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Mary's decision to learn from Jesus was not to slight Him (or Martha) by neglecting her responsibilities. Instead, she'd placed Jesus' presence of greater importance. Serving is a blessing, unless it's what we believe will make us acceptable. We need to be cautious not to make our acts of service a vice that chokes us to the point of exhaustion. When this happens, resentment is soon to follow--and resentment builds walls between our Lord Jesus and us.
💜 In full bloom. 💜
2. The seed sown on different soils is a metaphor for our souls. Stony places are impenetrable to a seed developing a root system. Shallow soil will end up with scorched seed, thorny places will choke the seedling, but healthy, rich soil will foster an environment where the seedling can flourish.
This is not to say the other types are impossible. Jesus said, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23 NKJV). One year, for my birthday, my mother-in-law bought me a lilac bush. I knew exactly where to plant it. And it did well that year. The next year, though, this little bush struggled. The roots had hit clay and couldn't pass through it; that is, until I took my aunt's advice and spread Epsom salt on the ground at the base of the bush. The Epsom salt worked its way into the soil, eventually breaking through the clay for the roots.
💜 A closer look 💜
I had that bush for over 20 years while we lived in that home. It bloomed later than the other lilac bushes in my neighborhood, so I had the fragrance wafting through my yard all of spring and into early summer.
This bush needed help to focus because of the distraction of the clay.
3. Based on what I have read about Peter, he wasn't easily frightened. However, I believe he could've been guilty of a little (maybe a lot) of pride. He was a fisherman. The winds and waves were no surprise to him. In fact, when he asked Jesus to call him out of the boat, we are told: "the wind was contrary."
I have no eyewitness proof, but it wouldn't surprise me if Peter took Jesus' command to "Come," and climbed down into the water, and not with a little pride that he was going to walk on water just like Jesus. This would explain, to me, why he took his eyes off Jesus in the first place. The wind was not new. The storm was not new. But him walking on water? Oh yes! And he was the first of the disciples (the only one, actually) to have the guts to do this. I, personally, believe it was not that Peter saw the wind and waves that frightened him, but that he'd taken his focus off Jesus, and he realized that without Jesus, he would drown because of the storm.
Proverbs 16:18 tells us, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (NKJV). It wasn't until Peter did the unthinkable by denying Jesus that this pride was stripped from him.
I have learned that pride is not only being puffed up and arrogant. It's also refusing help when needed, saying things like, "Oh, I don't want to impose." It takes humility (because, quite honestly, asking for help can feel humiliating) to be honest and say, "I can't do this alone." We live in a society where we are taught to "look out for #1" and "you made the mess, you clean it up."
This brings me to a question: What if we were to pause for a moment and evaluate all the things we use as distractions in our lives?
What would we see?
Would these distractions be helping us rest and heal, or aiding our procrastination and avoidance of the problem?
What if the problems were allowed by our Father in heaven to draw us closer to Him?
What would happen if we allowed ourselves to feel the pain and frustration of the struggle, turned it over to the Lord, and received the rest He promises us?
I am going to leave us with a few scriptures to ponder, soak in them, and make them yours, because it is this Sword (our Bible) that will tell us the truth and help slay the enemy of our soul:
And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." (Exodus 14:13-14 NKJV)
You must not fear them, for the Lord your God Himself fights for you. (Deuteronomy 3:22 NKJV)
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV)
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. (Psalm 23: 1-3 NKJV)
In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. (Psalm 94:19 NKJV)
Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my just claim is passed over by my God"?Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:27-31 NKJV)
For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul. (Jeremiah 31:25 NKJV)
There remains, therefore, a rest for the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9 NKJV)
Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17:47)
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. (Psalms 46:1-3)
May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you; may He send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion; may He remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice.
May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purposes. We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright.
Save, LORD!
May the King answer us when we call. (Psalms 20)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, YES, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
And he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's' ... You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you. (II Chronicles 20:15, 17)
So he answered and said to me: This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My spirit,' says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)
Distractions don't provide rest. Jesus does.
Distractions, like any addiction, help us to defer the stress until a later time, but it doesn't eliminate the stress. Instead, it may allow the stressor to grow.
Until next time. Keep your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And let the things of this world grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.
