Missing Out

Missing Out

Maybe your've heard the saying "missing the forest for the trees"   it means being overly concerned with the details, but not understanding the whole situaiton.   How many times do we do this?

It's not saying details are not important, but when we are consumed or focuse way too much of our attention on details, we miss other things.

Reminds me of the story in the bible of sisters Martha and Mary when Jesus came to visit them. (Luke 10:38-42) Martha was busy doing all the preparations and worrying about Jesus visiting and having guests, but instead of helping with preparations Mary chose to sit and listen to Jesus and when Martha complained to Jesus, Jesus corrected Martha's atttitude by saying Mary chose what was better.

It's a great little story of how we get all caught up, worried, and distracted by things, and we end up missing the point, or not enjoying what we should be enjoying, or we give others a hard time who don't share our same attittude, which is wrong in the first place.

How many times have we "missed the forest for the trees?"  We don't enjoy the time or place we are or what's going on because we are worried or distracted by other things?  How many times do we worry about things that don't matter in church or in our faith and condemn or judge others who don't believe or agree with us, yet we are the ones who is overfocusing on details and not understanding the reality of the situation.

How many times do we stay busy, too busy, always busy and never take time to relax or enjoy company, or a church event, or a party or something, and we get mad because everyone else is relaxing and havng fun and "we're doing all the work."  I got news for ya, you are the one missing out.

Details are impoprtant, but they should not overide what's really imporant.  Sure they're are commands and things in the Bible to tell us how to live and how Christians should act, worship, etc...but so many times we become legalistic or narrow-minded about issues or subjects that don't even matter to God, they only matter to us, I think God would say, "you're missing the forest for the trees".  His word does matter, but most of the topics and things that christians and churches argue over aren't salvation or doctrinal issues, they are prefernces and opinions that don't really matter.

I think so many times in our personal lives we miss time with family and friends and taking time to rest and relax and enjoy life or lifes events because we won't allow ourselves to relax or take a break or enjoy them.  Take a chill pill, slow down, and enjoy being in the forest and stop focusing on certain trees.

Luke 10:41-42(niv)
⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but only one thing is needed.^[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”