Keep Watch! Mark 13:24-37
Delivered to Smith Chapel UMC on November 30, 2008
What I Didn't Say
Pay Attention--My wife often accuses me of not paying attention when she speaks. The truth of the matter is whenever I'm thinking of something else, I try to listen (and often think I actually did), but when I stop to process what I've just heard I realize I have no clue. Sometimes I'm not even sure of the subject that was addressed.
And so, she's often correct. I didn't pay attention. I was distracted.
This passage from Mark is one of Jesus' admonitions to pay attention to Him. We are often distracted. We're distracted by our work, our recreation, by our troubles, and by our joys. I guess that's why we often use the term "diversions" for things like hobbies. They can actually divert us from the thing that's most important...the truth. It's one thing to seek diversion and amusement. It's another thing to allow them to overshadow the reality of our calling to discipleship.
