Way Too Fascinated

Okay, I might be getting ready to step on toes this morning, but I'm at the end of my rope with what TV calls "news." I've been home a lot lately . . . hysterectomy and lots of rest . . . and I've had an "a-ha" moment: the news anchors and gossip channels obsess about the same things day after day, hour after hour, but they wouldn't do that if the American public didn't crave private information about people's lives. Need proof? I promise you I can share.

This morning, as I'm waiting for my favorite TV pastor to come on, I flipped to a morning news show, and what are they discussing? The Clinton wedding. They are following that poor girl into her gown fittings, following mom into clothing stores, and strategizing about how they are going to get the first picture of Chelsea coming down the aisle after her vows. Seriously? Did these people not get that they ARE NOT INVITED? It seems that in this country, we have totally lost our minds when it comes to minding other people's business. Remember the Britany Spears fiasco? I felt so sorry for her. She was a young mom, making mistakes as all of have done, but the whole world was watching and criticizing. Could I have handled that? I think not. Then think about Mel Gibson. Now I know that He supposedly has done some things that absolutely stomp on our sensibilities, but again, is their business our business? Have you ever done anything in your marriage or relationships that you really wouldn't want to become public knowledge? I sure have, but their problems have become a public frenzy, and again, it makes me sad.

But here's the gigantic "a-ha" that is looming in my mind this morning: if we, as a people, would choose to be as obsessed with our God as we seem to be with public figures, think how we could change the world. God says clearly that if His people, who are called by His name, would pray, then He would heal our land, and I think we sure could use some healing today. He also says that we are to love others the way we love ourselves. What incredible things we could accomplish for His kingdom if we took that command seriously, being totally in love with God and then daily transferring that love to the people with whom we come in contact! My goodness, if every Christian took this to heart and did it, our spheres of influence would start to look and feel different. But . . . for that to happen, we have to take our eyes off things that aren't our business, things that don't matter eternally, and focus our eyes on the One and Only: God.

So my prayer today? Let me keep my eyes on the places where God would have me focus. Let me seek Him first, love myself because He loves me, and then love others with a passion. Sounds like a good day to me.