Pay Attention!

The Whole Armor of God

 ¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

 ¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 ¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. – Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT)

Pay Attention

This was the theme from Steve’s sermon yesterday in church. It was obviously a message I was supposed to hear because it’s been popping back into my thoughts frequently since then.

Steve shared how he can miss things like brand new drapes in his house that his lovely wife not only put up, but had sewn herself.  That means that he really wasn’t paying attention, since I’m sure she didn’t just whip those puppies out in a day! :-)

I probably would notice something like that, but there are other areas where I don’t pay attention. 

·         When someone tells me their name - I swear I try, but more often than not, the name doesn’t even come close to toggling my memory switch. I’m too busy thinking about other things.

·         Where I’m walking - For some of you, it probably isn’t something that you need to concentrate on. It comes naturally. Walking. It’s something we learn when we’re toddlers (and then we aren’t toddlers…we’re walkers!).  For me, however, it can be quite a dangerous proposition if I’m not paying attention. I am so busy thinking about where I’m going or what I should be doing that I don’t pay attention when something is right there to trip me and send me sprawling.  I do not fall gracefully or land on any of my cushy parts.  More often than not I stick out the boniest part of my body to “cushion” my fall.

·         What I’m eating - When I am in the middle of my crazy work day it’s all I can do to take the time to stuff something in my face.  If I don’t have something healthy ready to go, then chocolate, chips or junk food will end up “nourishing” my body instead.

 I really could go on and on about the day-to-day earthly things that I do not pay attention to.  But, it’s the spiritual things that I really fall short on (major bony parts sticking out here! :-) ).

·         What my thoughts are focused on – This world has far too many distractions that fascinate my mind and pull my focus away from the Lord. Satan may be bound, but he sure does have long arms and wily ways of grabbing my attention.

·         What I’m reading from His word – In that passage above it talks about the Word of God being the sword of the Spirit.  A sword! If it were really a sword (like a Samurai sword) – with edges so sharp I could slice a single hair in half by just running it across the blade – I think I would pay attention when I was handling it.  I should be more aware, because His word is my salvation, my shield, and a sword that can pierce my heart with its beauty and conviction…if only I were to pay attention to it!

·         To Whom and For What I am praying  – in the passage that the Lord led me to above it says to stay alert (pay attention!) and be persistent in my prayers.  Too many times I let outside concerns or passing thoughts distract me from what I am praying about. And it’s not that I think the Lord doesn’t know what I’m praying for, but if I am not paying attention, then I am missing that connection that is so important for me! Yes, my prayers are to benefit others, but in paying attention and truly communing with the Lord when I am praying, then my prayers have a double benefit that I can’t afford to miss!

There are many more spiritual points where I fall short and don’t pay attention, but I think those were the key points that the Lord wanted me to be aware of this morning. 

The Lord paid a price for me that I will never be able to repay. He sacrificed His life so that I may be redeemed and live with Him for all eternity.  But, even though I will never be able to reimburse Him for this, there is something I can do every day in return…I can pay attention.  It is one of the few coins I have in my spiritual pocket book. Where am I depositing this currency? Is it in things of this world? Where should I be paying my attention?  To Whom should I be giving my time, my focus, my attention?

Dear Lord – Too often you are my last thought. I wake up in the morning and I start going over my “to do” check list. I spare a thought or two of thanks to you, but then I’m off and running with my day. I shoot up absent minded prayers during the day, mostly about me and what I need or want, but I don’t focus on you at all! When I’m done with my rush I choose to bury my racing thoughts in mindless activities to dull the worry of things not accomplished. I’m not paying attention, Lord. I’m not hearing you. And if I do hear you, I purposely choose to ignore you. I am so sorry. Please forgive me. Here is my measly offering to you, my Lord, my all, my life – you have my attention. I am listening. I am yours. I love you. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah