Clay in the Hands

This past weekend we had a youth event in our community.  Three churches came together to offer what is typically called a Disciple Now event.

Students showed up for pizza and then worship on Friday evening and they did not go home until after church on Sunday morning.

So for 42 hours, teenagers focused on their relationship with God.

This year’s theme was NOISE.

The idea was to point out all the noise in our world and in our lives that distract us from what is truly important.

Our jobs – NOISE!

Our hobbies – NOISE!

The smart phones we don’t think we can live without – NOISE!

Serving in the community and even church – NOISE!

Television – NOISE!

Succeeding in sports or work – NOISE!

Some of these examples might cause you to pause.  You might be thinking, “Serving in the church can be noise?”  Here is my answer to that question – if our focus ever moves from our relationship with God to other things, even very good things, then those things have become noisy distractions.

The problem with noise is actually two-fold.  The first is that it simply distracts us from clear communion with God.  But an even more serious threat is that over time, all we hear is the noise and before we realize it, our identity has become wrapped up in the noise.

So here is my challenge today – cut out the noise for 30 minutes and focus on what is important.  Focus on your relationship with God.  Slow down, turn off the noise and simply listen.

Be blessed today!