Out of Sight, Out of Mind

We are a society of very busy people. Whether at work or at play, our minds are moving faster than our bodies. Most of us like to stay busy, but there is so much to do and not enough time to do it. We try “time management” to help us prioritize, but somehow we still go to sleep wishing we had the time or energy to do a few more things on our “to do” list.

The idea of, “out of sight, out of mind” prompts us to take care of those things that are right in front of us at the expense of leaving those things that don’t seem as critical to do at a later date. For a man, that usually means taking care of the outside of the house first, which is what other’s can see, and not worrying so much about the inside, which few people can see.

Spiritually we do the same thing. We go to church and help with various functions because that’s what others see. What about the inside? Are we spending time in the Word and praying to be closer to the One we go to church to worship? Are we trying to be more like Jesus, who should be at the heart of every church function, whether we evangelize or build up the body of Christ?

The Pharisees were more concerned about their outward appearance to man than they were about their personal relationship to God. Jesus denounced their attempts to make themselves look good in giving, prayer, and fasting. He told His disciples to pray, give, and fast in secret, and then the Father would reward them openly. Being seen and praised by others cannot hold a candle to what God has in store for those who serve and love Him with sincere hearts.

Remember, we are never out of God’s sight or off His mind. Psalm 33:18 says:

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love.

II Chronicles 16:9 says:

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Job 36:7 says:

He does not take His eyes off the righteous. He enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.

Thank you, Lord, that even though I get temporarily distracted by the hectic pace of this life, You are never too busy

FAMOUS QUOTES

Quotes usually become famous when a celebrity of sorts speaks and the words are recycled. Nothing I say will ever become a famous quote, no matter how eloquently or profoundly I may say something. Consider these quotes by famous people.

“You got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.” – Yogi Berra

“The average person thinks he isn’t.” – Father Larry Lorenzoni

Few things are harder to put up with than a good example.” – Mark Twain

“When ideas fail, words come in very handy.” - Goethe

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.” – Tom Clancy

They vary from silly to sublime or profound and they can, in some cases become part of our psyche, simply because a famous person said those words first. We put a lot of faith in what famous people say whether or not it’s worth remembering.

Famous people have the advantage of mass media hanging on their every word and we somehow remember it and pass it on. Isn’t it odd that none of the people in the Bible had any mass media and many centuries would pass before any of the quotes would be printed in a form for the common man to understand?

Many of the wonderful quotes had to be hidden away in jars in the desert before they could become famous. Yet as many years as it took to get the word of God into the hands of the common folk, quotes of the rich and famous came and went. However, even atheists quote the Bible; even if they don’t realize it when they do.

I’m not good at all when it comes to quoting anyone. I may know when words come from the Bible but I’m terrible at remembering just where in the Bible they come from. “A Penney saved is a Penney earned” is such a common phrase that it has become part of the American psyche. Few young kids know it came from Ben Franklin but few young kids know Ben Franklin anyway.

But say “John 3:16” and people, kids and adults alike, will jump in from all over to show you they can finish the quote. John had no mass media to spread his word but few need more than the slightest reference to remember what he said. Isn’t that peculiar?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.