A lady went to her pastor and said, “I won’t be attending church anymore.”
Surprised, the pastor asked, “May I ask why?”
She replied, “I see people on their cell phones during the service, some are gossiping, and some just aren’t living right. They are all just hypocrites.”
The pastor paused for a moment and then said, “I understand, but can I ask you to do something for me before you make your final decision?”
She nodded, “What’s that?”
He said, “Take a glass of water and walk around the church two times without letting any water spill out.”
She agreed and carefully walked around the church with the glass of water. When she returned, the pastor asked her three questions:
1. Did you see anybody on their phone?
2. Did you see anybody gossiping?
3. Was anybody living wrong?
She replied, “I didn’t see anything because I was so focused on this glass, making sure the water wouldn’t fall.”
The pastor smiled and said, “When you come to church, you should be just that focused on God, so that you don’t fall. Jesus said, ‘Follow me.’ He did not say follow Christians. Don’t let your relationship with God be determined by how others relate to Him. Let it be determined by how focused YOU are on God.”
This story beautifully illustrates the importance of keeping our focus on God rather than on the faults and failings of others. When we concentrate on our personal walk with God, we are less likely to be distracted by the imperfections of those around us.
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gave us the Great Commission: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Our mission is clear: we are to focus on spreading the gospel and winning souls for Christ.
When our eyes are fixed on this task, we have no time to allow others to slow us down.
That’s not to say that people should be able to do wrong. They will be judged by God. Even Jesus’ followers weren’t all following properly. Some were fakes. Some stumbled. But none of this changed the calling.
Let’s be diligent in our walk with God, focusing on Him and the mission He has given us. When we do, we will find that the distractions and faults of others fade into the background. Our primary concern should be how we can better serve God and reach others with His love. Remember, Jesus said, “Follow me.” Let’s keep our eyes on Him and trust that He will guide us in the right path.
