23 Nov, 2009
Attention!
A TIME TO TALK
When a friend calls to me from the road
And slows his horse to a meaning walk,
I don’t stand still and look around
On all the hills I haven’t hoed.
And shout from where I am, “What is it?”
No, not as there is a time to talk.
I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,
Blade-end up and five feet tall,
And plod: I go up to the stone wall
For a friendly visit.
Poem taken from the book: The Poetry of Robert Frost, pg. 124.
Photo taken from: images.google.com.
Ezekiel 40:4
The man said to me, "Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Tell the house of Israel everything you see."
I have been thinking a lot lately about the word "attention". Webster's dictionary defines attention as the ability to concentrate mentally or courtesy towards others' feelings. What I have come to realize is how important paying attention or being attentive in life really is. There is virtually nothing of substance that can occur without it. If you want to play an instrument you must devote attention to practicing. If you want good grades you must pay attention in class and study. If you want good friends, you must show them attention. And most importantly, if loving God is our highest calling, we must give hime time and attention.
Think about it. Many of the problems we exprerience in life are a result of lack of attention. Our friends say we ignore them. Our parents and teachers say "pay attention!" The world is a very distracting place. This is even more true today than ever. As I have looked at my relationship with God and others I can make some pretty strong connections between attention to other things (tv, internet, eating, etc...) over my attention to God and others. Frost's poem encourages us to pay attention to those who are important in our lives. I am asking that we do that as well, but more importantly to give our attention to God.
- Take inventory of what you have given the majority of your time to this past week?
- How much time was given to God? Do we look for ways to give our attention to God during the day?
- Pray that God will send the Holy Spirit to you to give you the desire and ability to make time for him during the week.
Today's poem is perfect for showing attention to others (especially close friends). Make an effort this week to drop what you might consider important and truly listen to others (even if it's for 5-10 minutes). Ask God to help you really give them your undivided attention and use that time to love them in Christ. I think you will see the difference!
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