"Distractions" This is the weekly email devotional of WhoUWith? Ministries (2005)   "The hangman's noose marvelously concentrates the man's mind." -Unknown Do you ever get so caught up in life that you forget to live? Do you ever get so focused on doing good things that you miss out on doing great things? Have distractions become your attraction? There are times when we need to stop and regain our focus, our purpose. As the opening quote implies, those who are nearing death seem to have a clearer out look. They are less encumbered by the busyness of life and are more intent on living for the moment. What does God's Word say?: You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 In John 11, Jesus raised his friend Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus got a second chance at life. He got a "do over". I wonder what old Lazarus did different. Did he notice sunsets and roses? Did he have new found appreciation for his daily breakfast of goat's cheese and hard bread? Maybe nothing changed for Lazarus, but I doubt it. There is something about facing or, in Lazarus' case, experiencing death that causes a man to become more effective in his single-mindedness. What if you were told that you only had 7 days left to live? Would your calendar change? Who are some people you would make a point to get with during those seven days? What are some things that need to be said, but you have been putting it off? Every day is an opportunity to waste or to impact, to hate or to love, to ignore or to experience. What are your plans for today? "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24. Just a thought!