Distracted

Posted on June 13, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call

There I was with my head bowed and eyes closed. All around me everyone was in the same reverent posture. Pastor was encouraging us to prepare our hearts to receive communion. Search our hearts for any unconfessed sin. Confess. Repent.

 

“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19

 

I started out good. Focused. But then… This fleeting thought … “Maybe we should get a pizza for lunch.” And then… The fleeting thought led to several thoughts that came and took up residence. “I wonder if we could get to the White Water Center today for a hike. Is it too hot? Can I fit it into the day’s schedule?” “I need to pick up that prescription today… and get some milk while I’m at it.” “Back to pizza.  Sounds good.  Maybe I can pick up premade and we can heat it on the grill. Oh, yeah. That does sound good.”

 

Oh wait…. Communion.

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

 

Broken heart.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” Matthew 23:37

 

Wrath of God poured out. Face of the Father turned away. Forsaken.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46

 “’It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30

 

The penalty for MY sin: Paid in Full.

As I sat with my head bowed, looking to all around me as if my heart was reverent and my thoughts pure. I was thinking about what kind of pizza I should order.  Been there?

In the next moment, God reminded me that was precisely why Jesus had to hang on the cross.  That this sin of mine, in the moment, this sin was also under the blood.  This sin, too, was paid for at the cross.

I’m not proud of this confession but I suspect you may have found yourself in this exact same place at times and I wanted to encourage you as God did me… that, too, is under the blood.

This, too, has been forgiven.

 

Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize:“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” Hebrews 2:17-18