A message, comment, thought, or image has the potential to distract us from what we are working on. It is not only about becoming lousy, but also about losing your passion or interest. It makes you gamble your time and energy in other things. It happens so passively that we are just caught in circles of being distracted and otherwise. The result of the same is that one often feels wasted by the end of it. To not be distracted in the middle of anything is about being true to your purpose or mission. What does that look like?
Once when Jesus was teaching in the temple, He was interrupted by scribes and Pharisees. They wanted Him to judge a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. They came to Him to test Him. But if the question is whether or not Jesus has the kind of power to pass the verdict, the answer is yes, He does.
He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.
John 3:31 (NKJV)
which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Ephesians 1:20-21 (NKJV)
Such a great heart that Jesus had when He didn’t condemn her! But did you notice who else He didn’t condemn?
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
John 8:7-9 (NKJV)
Pharisees and scribes are usually portrayed as enemies of Christ. But this verse is a clear reflection of how much He loved them. He stooped down and wrote on the ground as their conscience pricked them. Though they desired to test Him, He didn’t see it as an opportunity to humiliate them. Imagine someone looking into your eyes when you are feeling guilty. No matter how much the person wants to embrace you, the shame, agony and pain within you will tear you into pieces. Jesus stooping down and writing is not because of His incapability to look at them, but because of His compassion for them.
The purpose as to why Jesus came to the world is clearly demonstrated here.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:17 (NKJV)
His purpose was not to condemn but to save. Even though He was above all things of the world and had the power to judge, He didn’t use His powers to exploit, oppress or enslave. Power might corrupt, but we see Jesus using His position and power to empathize and empower. For Him, judgement was and always is restorative.
Another interesting observation here is that Jesus was teaching when they came with the woman who was caught in adultery, and resumed teaching after they left. He didn’t get startled or ponder on what could have been done differently, or how terrible people were. In other words, He was not distracted when faced with a circumstance where He was expected to act differently from His purpose.
It is not simply knowing your purpose that helps you live out your calling, but being united with your heavenly Father.
Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
John 5:19 (NKJV)
What is it that you see the Father doing? Is He caught up by the words and thoughts that are popping in from everywhere? The message is not about being lost in the purpose, but being aware of who you are. It is about living from the awareness of the union you have with the Lord. When you are posed with overwhelming or underwhelming circumstances, be true to your being, as you reflect and function from a position of grace.
Photo by Arleen wiese on Unsplash
