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They take our mind off of God, they are distractions from who we are and what we are called to be. Maybe we feel like we have been given the short end of the stick or that we have too heavy a burden to carry. What ever the situation, these elements of life are referred to as sin.

Hear the Good News, when we seek Jesus, we are seeing an end to the distractions that separate us from God. Last night I was asked if "man" was inherently evil(seek to harm others, morally wrong). I said no, and followed with the idea that man is inherently sinful. By this, I feel, it is our nature to seek our own survival, and our own care. However when Christ becomes a part of our life, we lose those selfish tendencies and seek to live with one another in love, peace and harmony. Jesus, as he entered the wilderness, after His baptism, faced the temptations we face daily , in one shape or another. It is my hope that as we seek Christ out, lay aside any distractions and seek God's will for our life. You know, I would entertain the idea that maybe the paralyzed man(in the above passage) who was brought to Jesus spent an awful lot of time angry at God for what had happened to him. Further, I would think he had to lay aside that very anger and doubt in order to make it to Christ.

Lord, it comes in so many directions, home, work, even walking with the general public, there are in fact times when my selfish nature is a distraction. Moreover, even my attempts at graciousness are brushed aside, which cause me to lose sight of why I was gracious in the first place. Thank You for not being like me. You love me, even when I am a real pill. Please help me to lay aside those distractions in my life that I might be able to focus on you, and in turn others, that we all might know of your healing grace. We approach a time of the year that is about healing, prayer, repentance and reconciliation. I approach You asking for growth in all of these areas. Thank You for all You have done in my life, and all You will continue to do, through Christ our Lord I pray. Amen.