LORD'S SUPPER DISTRACTIONS

 

 So I’m sitting there waiting for the communion tray to come my way. I’m trying to meditate, to clear my mind of the things of this world, as instructed.

 

And failing.

 

Big time.

 

Oh, I start off well. “Lord, I’m so grateful that You came and lived a sinless life and allowed Yourself to be offered up as a sacrifice in my place.”

 

But then my mind goes to my to-do list. After a couple minutes I realize this and I pull it back into the moment.

 

But shortly it runs through the coming week’s activities. Like a trail-ride horse who veers off the path to munch on a tasty patch of grass, I must rein in my thoughts once more.

 

Before long I find myself stewing over how I can fix that troubled relationship.

 

I’ve done it again! Or rather *haven’t* done it: cleared my mind of distractions.

 

So I start to self-flagellate. “Julia, can’t you even pay attention for 10 minutes?” And it’s downhill from there. Disgust, headed for depression. These also are not appropriate, productive thoughts during the Lord’s Supper.

 

Then I have a wonderful thought. What if, instead of beating myself up, I flip this?

 

What if, when that off-topic concern pops in my head, I take it to the Cross? “Thank You, Lord, for my friend and for how You are giving us the wisdom for which we asked to mend our friendship. Thank You, Lord, that I have victory in this because of what Jesus did on the Cross. Thank You that the plans for the week ahead are infused with meaning and purpose because of Your resurrection power in my life. I’m so grateful for Your Holy Spirit’s conviction at these moments of distraction to get me back on track.”

 

And it goes well from there. Such a different outcome than if I had continued on the self-condemnation path.

 

 Romans 8:1-2

 

“Beloved, we are even here and now God's children; it is not yet made clear what we shall be hereafter, but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall as God's children resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He really is.” 1 John 3:2

 

Hallelujah! Communion time is redeemed! Thank You, Lord!