YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE
by Dr. Jim Johnson, Pastor Williamsburg Baptist Church
A member of our church family and an ever-ready source of good articles and stories passed me one by Mitch Albom from his book “Have a Little Faith.”
A little girl came home from school with a drawing she’d made in class. She danced into the kitchen, where her mother was preparing dinner. “Mom, guess what?” she squealed, waving the drawing. Her mother never looked up. “What?” she said, tending to the pots. “Guess what?” the child repeated, waving the drawing. “What?” the mother said, tending to the plates. “Mom, you’re not listening.” “Sweetie, yes I am.” “Mom,’ the child said, ‘you’re not listening with your eyes.”
So, what gets your attention these days?
True awareness requires observation. Knowing requires study. Thinking requires reflection. Understanding requires consideration. Authentic family and friendships require presence. Worship requires devotion. Listening requires our eyes.
On a wall at our house this Christmas is a bit of plain stitch-work suggesting: “Christmas is what is present when you stop opening the packages and listen.” Now, as they say, that’ll preach.
If you truly don’t want to miss Christmas, (and the antidote for an otherwise distracted life, by the way,) give yourself to:
· utter fascination with a candle,
· engrossment with a burning fireplace,
· extended preoccupation with an evergreen tree,
· rapt attention to the details in the wrapping paper,
· many minutes of enchantment with the message of a card,
· deep immersion in a worthy Christmas tale,
· extended focus on the music of the season,
· undistracted contemplation of the scriptures,
· honor to a worthy memory ‘til it is felt in the heart (perhaps with tears),
· preoccupation with the miracle that is another person, and,
· with respect to the Christ who comes to us, for Him the limelight, for Him the center stage, without rival, forever and ever. Amen.
Look. See. Notice. Give it time.
Then, yes, more time.
And the longer we pay attention, the bigger the “Wow!”
Guaranteed.
Dr. Jim Johnson became the pastor of the Williamsburg Baptist Church in June of 2000. In the course of his ministry he served at Grace Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia, as well as Baptist Campus Ministry with the West Virginia Baptist Convention of the American Baptist Churches, USA. His career also includes employment in various capacities by the Commonwealth of Virginia, including the University of Virginia and the Virginia Department of Health.
Dr. Johnson was awarded the Doctor of Education by the College of William and Mary. He earned his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and holds other degrees from West Virginia University, Virginia Commonwealth University and the College of William and Mary as well.
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