Distracted

Luke 13:15-16 ESV

“Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”

In this story, a woman who had suffered for eighteen years finds herself in a crowd near to Jesus. We are told very little about her, except that she couldn’t fully stand up straight because she was bent over from a disabling condition. Jesus sees her in the crowd and beckons her over, and immediately tells her that she is free from her disability. How incredible would it have been to be a member of that crowd, and get to watch this woman stand up straight for the first time in almost two decades?

The rulers of the synagogue had a serious issue with this incident though, as they believed Jesus was doing something wrong by healing on the Sabbath. It is so mind boggling to me that rather than celebrate and rejoice with the woman for her healing, they alternatively chose to become frustrated and indignant. They just watched a miracle happen right before their eyes, and they were so distracted by what they thought should happen, they missed out on the supernatural.

Now, it’s easy for us to say that we would never do such a thing, but have you ever been distracted by pain, doubt or frustration? Have you ever spent too much time questioning God’s plan and reason for doing things, that you missed the miracle in the moment? I know I certainly have.

Distraction is one of the enemy’s best tactics because we usually end up doing the work for him. We are in control of our thoughts, and only we can choose to refocus and take charge of what happens in our mind. Don’t allow distraction to consume you. Turn your eyes to heaven today, and take note of the miracles all around you.

Prayer: I am thankful that You are the God of the miraculous. You’re still working and still moving, and I don’t want to miss any of it. Clear my mind of anything that distracts me from what You’re doing, and renew my thoughts today.