Dont be Distracted

Published: July 28, 2021, 7 a.m.

b'Summertime is always full. It\\u2019s the time when we plan vacations to see friends and family, go camping, take swimming lessons, and plan outdoor parties and barbeques. Kids are out of school, and parents take their vacation time so that the whole family can go to the beach or the lake. All of these things are good, but when we get too busy, we can forget to focus on God. God wants us to enjoy this beautiful Earth he\\u2019s given us, with the people whom we love. There\\u2019s nothing wrong with having fun and reconnecting with loved ones. What\\u2019s wrong is when those adventures take us away from staying close to Christ in His Word and in His Church. It is then that those good things can become idols. It\\u2019s like when Jesus went to visit Martha and Mary. The Bible says that Martha was distracted by serving and preparing the food. This was an important thing that needed to be done, but Jesus said that Mary, who sat and listened to Him, had chosen the best thing. (Luke 10:38-42) Our choices should never keep us from Christ. Instead, in the good times, we should be free to follow Him better, because we are filled with His joy and purpose. Then others will see that the good news of Christ doesn\\u2019t just apply when times are tough. Christ\\u2019s good news is for the good times, too. This is Luis Palau.'