by Andrew Pust

Dis-tract-er-tun-i-ty n: a distraction that is actually an opportunity in disguise.

Well, at least I got your attention, even if it is a bogus word. We pass up many opportunities to show others that we love them. If the phrase “people are more
important than facility, projects, or tools” is true, then we need to change how we respond to certain distractions.

We want to serve people, but we often consider those same people to be distractions. Remember Jesus’ response when the lame man appeared through the roof? Talk about a distraction! Everyone’s attention was on the guy on the cot, and Jesus seized the opportunity to preached a short, powerful sermon using the man as the central illustration.

Before brushing distracting people aside in the name of focus, make sure that the distraction isn’t really an opportunity to have a positive influence on someone’s life. Take some time to study how Christ responded to the distractions that He faced, and be prepared to be convicted.