~ False Impressions ~

[Lani]

Matthew 6:19-24
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.


Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)




A large, beautiful bird has become entranced with its own image reflected in the window of my living room. Every day, the bird comes in the morning and returns in the afternoon to interact with its reflection. When he flies in front of the window, he sings a beautiful song; he pecks the glass and displays a variety of poses to impress his virtual audience. Months have passed, but the bird never seems to perceive that the image is only an illusion.

When I see him singing and performing his beautiful dance, I think how we humans are also distracted by many things that take us away from our reality – following the way of our Lord. Many go through life deceived, as this bird was, idolizing their own image or the image of someone else. Many are bewitched by money. Some are dazzled by fame. Others are attracted to the temporary joy of a lascivious life. Others bow at the alter of professional success.

The world misleads us, offering us many empty delights. But Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6) Worldly matters can distract us, but if we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will find the way to abundant life in God.


Prayer: Sovereign God, help us to invest ourselves in what is true, and keep us always following your son. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer Focus of Day: For wisdom to see through illusions
Thought for the Day: What distracts me from focusing on Christ?

Story shared by: R. DeCastro (Brazil)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 11/7/11