My little girl just turned two recently and I have discovered something:

I need to keep a closer eye on her, especially when we are outside.

One Mayah’s favorite things to do outside is to look for birdies and bunnies and then go chase them, and chase them she will. The other day we were outside and she spotted a couple robins in the grass. Mayah got all excited as she announced what she saw,

“Daddy! Birdies!”

and then off she went. And before I knew it she was across the yard and almost around the corner of the church building. My calls for her to return went unanswered so I took off to retrieve her.

[She sure can cover a lot of ground quickly]

Upon returning Mayah to the yard closer to me she soon spotted more birdies and off she went again. I indeed must pay close attention to her and…

…WE must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. [Hebrews 2:1]

What we have heard is the Good News of Jesus Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of our sins. What we have heard is the Word of God as proclaimed in holy scripture. What we have heard is God’s commands. And we must pay close attention to this lest we drift away, and drift away we will. Because when you think about it, there are many “birdies” and “bunnies” in this world that will draw your attention away from the safe haven that is God.

The defense?

Pay attention to God’s Word.
Pay attention to what you have learned.
Pay attention to what God has promised you in scripture.
Pay attention to the fact that Satan is prowling around like a roaring lion.
Pay attention to the bad influences around you and then hold them at bay.
Pay attention to your relationship with Jesus.
Pay attention to what your children are learning.
Pay attention to what your pastor is preaching/teaching.
Pay attention lest you drift away.

And paying attention is “hard work”, but not really; especially when the paying attention involves someone you love. I love my children and my wife, so I will pay attention to them. I will pay attention to the birdies in my yard that will draw Mayah away from me. I will pay attention, as my children get older, to the friends around them. I will pay attention to what they are learning.

And…

I love God so I will pay attention to my relationship with Jesus. There will be times when I drift away but it is the “paying attention” to what I have heard that will bring me back; confessing my sins and receiving amazing grace. It’s when we forget to pay attention that we find ourselves in trouble;

hopeless
lost and
alone.

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. [Hebrews 2:1]

Stay close to God through Jesus Christ, and you will never find yourself adrift.

Loving Father, tune my eyes that they may see you and sharpen my attention that it may focus on Your Word. May I not stray, but when I do, return, quickly, my attention to Your promises. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

The Pastor -|—