All eyes were fixed on the man at the front of the room. Nobel Laureate John Mather, a respected scientist and NASA employee, was giving a lecture to the large crowd that had gathered to hear him speak. The room barely had enough space for the eager assemblage; several sets of people chose to sit on the floor because there was not enough space in the chairs. No one dared to make additional noise for fear that it would cause them to lose one of the precious words that came from the scientists’ mouth. Everyone knew: hearing this lecture was the most important thing they could be doing at the moment.
Enter: the skink. It started as a flicker at the corner of my eye. I turned, but didn’t notice anything strange near the group of people sitting by the glass doors. Soon I was lost in the speakers’ words.
Flash. I saw something again, and this time the girl next to me had also turned to look. A second later a little lizard had crawled into the room by coming under the threshold of the glass doors. Several people on the outer row of the audience were watching, amused, as the intruder scuttled along the base of the wall in search of a cool, damp place to settle down. The girls sitting against the wall were not quite as amused.
Then a second skink popped its head out from the doorframe to join its friend in looking for a break from the sun. People in the crowd continued to point and chuckle quietly as they noticed, one by one, the drama unfolding on the side of the room. The lizards had stolen the show.
Do you have lizards ruling in your life right now – things that seem so important that they distract you from hearing the Person whose words are the most vital part of your life? Ultimately God should be the star of the show in our lives. Psalm 104:34 says it this way, “May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.”
What do you spend your time thinking about? Maybe you are tempted to spend every waking moment analyzing and re-analyzing a problem if you have had a divorce or other tragedy happen recently. But no matter how many times you go over your problems, you won’t be able to solve them alone! Remember the One who should be on center stage.
Tell me, what do you do to keep your thoughts centered on God? I’d like to highlight some of your ideas in an upcoming blog series!
Comments on: "The Skink" (14)
I have nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Blogger’s Award. You can accept it by going here: http://watmattersmost.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/sisterhood-of-the-world-bloggers-award/. Thank you for building my faith and comforting my heart with your words.
Thanks so much for the nomination, Charity!
Thanks for your reminder to actively train my thoughts on Christ despite why vies for my attention. I find that writing helps me to refocus my thoughts on Christ–pouring out what is going on in my heart and working to unravel the reasons behind my forgetting where He figures in the picture of my life. Looking forward to your series!
I’ve found the same thing, Elaine. Writing (even when it’s just my once-a-week posts) really helps me to stay tuned into what God has been teaching me. I never would have thought it would be that way when I first started my blog, but I have certainly noticed it over the years!
Speaking of years, when did you start your blog and what was the impetus? (I’ve been wondering that since I started reading your posts.)
I started it about two years ago, and I wanted to use my experience to create a community of support for girls who have gone/are going through their parents’ divorce. I am hoping that I will be able to keep developing a ministry to be exactly that, with teaching, mentoring programs, and forums! =)
Oh my gosh, Aimee! That would be amazing! I love mentoring–there is so much need for it in our world. I pray God opens doors for you into the hearts and lives of many girls who need just the ministry that God intends to work through you!
Thanks Elaine!!
Aimee..I told my daughter about you!! You mother has got to be so proud of you! I have nominated you for a One Lovely Blog Award. If you’d like to accept it, please visit http://armouredup.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/one-lovely-blog-award/ to collect it. Blessings to you…
Hi Arlene,
Thanks so much for the nomination! And for sending your daughter my way!
I remind myself that He lives in me, it never seems to be very difficult after that. cheers Graeme
That’s a great idea. Thanks for sharing!
Hey, girl! I just nominated your blog for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. To accept, please go here http://athomewithgod.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/very-inspiring-blogger-award-who-me/.
Thanks Elaine!