I am easily distracted. I have always been that way. My extroverted nature means that I am always looking outside of myself. That means if a person walks by, I will notice and probably try to start a conversation. I keep a guitar beside my desk. Sometimes it will catch my eye, and I will stop and play and sing for a bit. If I hear any noise, I will stop what I am doing and check it out.
Speaking of noises, we have more than usual around here lately. I am sure you are well aware that we have begun our renovation process. Currently our construction team is on the second floor, directly above the office area. There is banging and cutting and dragging and hammering and, well just all sorts of sounds coming from up there. I did not realize we had a boulder up there, but I am pretty sure they dropped one yesterday.
You probably inferred from my earlier comments, but sometimes concentration is not easy for me. Well, you try to concentrate listening to a robust demolition team working above you and see how it works for you. For me it is rather distracting.
And it is wonderful!
The sound of progress is often loud. All that noise upstairs means that we are closer to seeing the finished product of refreshed facilities. It also means that we closer to being able to flex our bold faithfulness muscles with facilities that are better geared for ministry.
The noise also reminds me of Paul. The Apostle Paul, who wrote letters to churches, and those letters became a part of our New Testament. In one of those letters Paul makes a confession to the church in Corinth. He confessed that he was distracted sometimes, too. He calls his distraction a “thorn.” He does not articulate exactly what this distraction was. And that is for the best. Paul allows us to see that our own distractions can be seen in a better light.
Paul says that rather than focusing on doing away with the distraction it is possible to learn from it. He says that through this thorn, he learned that God’s grace is sufficient all the time, even when one feels like they are not at their best. Especially when we feel like we are not at our best. He indicates that it is only when we feel weak can we know how powerful God is. You can read all about in 2 Corinthians 12.
So, from now on, whenever I am startled by a boulder being dropped upstairs, I am going to take a moment and thank God for the distraction. And I might play and sing for a bit, too.
Peace be with you.
Christian
Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NRSUE)
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