I had a weekend full of distractions.

Because when you live in a broken world (and we are in one), we become broken too – we become judgmental – and we are seeing things that distract us from seeing the attractions of the good.

Gratefully we also see lots of GOOD!

Prime example was Friday night, a beautiful concert, beautiful acoustics, and a beautiful church. – The attraction of sitting down, ahh. But the distraction of my bad (but improving) back and those harsh unforgiving shaped 1800s church pews which kept you awake in the day. ouch. – The attraction of heat at my feet, wow, the pipe placed under these pews? Cool I mean HOT, as I tested it with my foot and it burned for a second, oops. An attraction plus a distraction, just don’t get too close to the heat. – The attraction of beautiful music, a tough to absorb contemporary piece about the Little Match Girl, a sad tale from folklore writing, so the distraction of desolations and death, wow, tough. – The distractions in this hour-long event helped me through, I counted the piece numbers from my pew until we were through. I watched the distractions of an energetic singer’s hair, captivated myself with the bells and unique instruments, and heard the occasional cough of some guests, all while trying to prevent mine… and the cough drops in my pocket for these allergies distracting me from spring.  I also watched the woman in front of me on her phone reading the lyrics, and I couldn’t read them but I could see how long the song was and be thankful for short ones. Distractions were commonplace here (and some even I appreciated) – but all in all it was tough getting through.

The ATTRACTION of the last musical piece, representing HEAVEN and Salvation for the Match Girl, a beautiful song with beautiful singing – it was the freedom from the cruel world. Freedom from forgottenness by those more rich than she and freedom from the unforgiving reality of freezing to death, such harsh ignorance of human needs. And the finality of it all with a Heavenly tune consoled us in the pain of watching it all (watching the match girl’s plight) and not being able to help. Distraction.  

Oh, but the ATTRACTION of Heaven in music, especially because I closed my eyes and absorbed the goodness of it all. The high notes were higher than any darkness of the dungeon, the harmony sweeter than any sour note of sorrow, the Heaven higher than any hurts.  Heaven MUST be like that – above all – above distractions – above judgement. Above human failings and even allergies. No sour notes or stark seats – I think Heaven-focusing is glorious to appreciate living for the best attraction – amid the worst days of distraction. I think closing one’s eyes, like I did in the music, helps us in this world when wanting to be feeling Heaven – BUT opening up our eyes is BEST for us getting to Heaven and watching where Jesus steps us.

Open eyes and Open ears and Open hearts:

Jesus steps us forward by stepping up to see and help Match Girls and those like her in the crushed world. 

Jesus calls us awake by calling us to hear lonely voices and help healing tones where we can add a harmony. 

Jesus is in us, and we in Him, when we act in Him, look up with Him, and not be distracted by worldly down views. Jesus sees through the worldly view.

The ATTRACTION of Heaven is also in creating Heaven on earth. Let’s not get distracted from doing that. 

Amen 

Remember one thing of us in a broken world, DON’T let the brokenness break you. Focus on things above. 

Amen