Alright, so far we’ve learned our distraction goes beyond our prayer life and the one or two other areas we may have already realized we were distracted. In fact, we have realized that our distraction is far reaching and in some ways debilitating to any growth be it spiritual, professional, or relational.

We’ve also seen that the this distraction, this thinness, comes from a heart that is feeding out of the pantry instead of doing the hard work of preparing and enjoying a feast. That is, we have delighted in the trite, the easy, the convenient, instead of the deep, the meaningful, the abiding pleasures of joy that is found in Christ and all that He has for us.

But before I move onto the next step, I’ve realized I’ve failed to even explain why we need to go on this journey and do this work in the first place.

Have you ever stopped and stared a beautiful painting for more than 5 minutes.  Try to literally set yourself inside the scene of that vista? Or have you ever taken a walk in a meadow for no intention of getting any where but to just enjoy the quietness of the walk? Or have you ever simply stared across the dinner table at the one you love as you watch them do some common task and be left to wonder at your love for them?

If you haven’t, you should.  If you have, you will know that none of those moments could be what they are without the stilled, undistracted, peace of that moment bound up inside a ball of pleasure that you never want to let go. That’s what we are trying to get to – more moments of profundity, and solemnity and fewer moments of distraction; more of a lifestyle that reaches for quiet walks instead of multi tasking, late night chaos that comes with a hurried life.

A cluttered mind, friend, is a cluttered heart. A cluttered heart has clouded eyes, and clouded eyes have difficulty beholding the glories of Christ.

Why do we want to pursue a disciplined heart and mind of depth? Because we all know that the book is better than the movie, that learning to play Beethoven’s Piano Concerto #5 is better than just listening to it.  We all know that standing and beholding a beautiful sunset on a late summer’s day is better than seeing a picture of one.

Christ wants these things for you as well, beloved.  you need only slow down long enough to see them and take hold of them for a lifetime.