Distractions

From My Perspective - - - -

It is becoming more evident that both punditry and polls/statistical analysis are muddying the political landscape. It is becoming a Daily Distraction as well as an Annoyance. Those who make their living in such areas fail to factor in that any number of people (a) believe their preferences are a private matter; (b) people will give the “politically correct” response to avoid being labeled as liberal, conservative, moderate, racial, gender-biased, etc.; and (c) some people will just “lie” in order to confuse and blur the true sentiment in terms of Poll Results. The pundits are now citing the “Bradley Effect” (Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, an African-American Democrat, in 1982 unexpectedly lost his candidacy for governor of California. His defeat followed voters telling pollsters they prefer a black candidate and then voting the other way) possibly being in play and affecting the results of the Tracking Polls. It is almost like a “game” being played with Pollsters.

Distractions occur in many areas of life and can blur the Purpose and Goals in given situations. A Classic Example of the various Distractions one can encounter in life are summarized somewhat in the Christian Allegory entitled, Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. A man named Christian purposes to leave the City of Destruction (Earth) and journey toward the Celestial City (Heaven). As he sets out on that journey, the many Distractions begin. The first ones to call to him are his family members pleading with him to remain with them. He stops his ears to block out their voices. He will also have to encounter his neighbors and their ridicule and criticism most notably by Mr. Obstinate and Mr. Pliable. His only encouragement comes from the one called Evangelist who instructs him to head toward the Shining Light and to stay in the center of the path that will lead to the narrow wicket gate. There are others who will try to dissuade Christian – people like Mr. Worldly Wiseman, Mr. Legality and his son Civility – who attempt to get him to join them in the city of Morality. Do these Distractions sidetrack Christian and divert him from his Goal? At times, Yes! He lets himself be enticed to go to Legality’s home. However, Evangelist meets the wayward Christian where he has stopped before a life-threatening mountain, Mount Sinai, on the way to Legality's home. Evangelist shows Christian that he had sinned by turning out of his way, but he assures him that he will be welcomed at the Wicket Gate if he should turn around and go there. Christian, wisely, changes his course and gets back on the path that will lead him to the Wicket Gate.

All of us are confronted daily with Distractions of every sort. Some things seem so appealing and enticing that we divert from our Goals and Purposes and succumb to the diversionary distraction. A worthy role model for all of us is Nehemiah. He felt compelled by God to rebuild the Walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah appeals to King Artaxerxes for permission to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild. He is granted permission. However, as the Wall is progressing, Distractions arise. In Nehemiah 4:1-3, we read the initial ridicule and attempt to Distract – “Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that? Tobiah...said, Yes, what they are building if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” The words could have easily discouraged Nehemiah and been a Distraction that could halt the project altogether. But they kept on with their effort – with spear in one hand and building with the other – “because they had a mind to work” – and the project was successfully completed.

There are times and moments when we all are confronted with Distractions and are almost overwhelmed by the opposition or discouraging words. At such times, we need to remind ourselves Who we serve and what He will do. We must remind ourselves of Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Consider this with me and let us keep on keeping on - - - -