And even if our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

Years ago a huge crowd gathered in the street outside a hotel in Glasgow, Scotland. The noisy, celebrative crowd had come together to show its appreciation to its victorious soccer team.

During the celebration, a quiet, little man slipped into the hotel, unheralded and unacknowledged.

The man went unnoticed because, quite frankly, nobody knew his face, and most people wouldn't have recognized his name. In short, that man didn't mean a thing to the crowd.

That was sad because this man had saved the lives of more than a few individuals in that great group.

In 1945 the man had won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. This prestigious award had been given to Sir Alexander Fleming because as a combination biologist, pharmacologist and botanist he had been able to identify the antibiotic properties of penicillin. Sadly, the crowd saw only a soccer team, not the man who was responsible for having saved so many of its lives.

You know, it's a sad thing when people overlook the wonderful things of life and concentrate on that which is insignificant or unimportant. It's tragic when people see this globe's glitter and glamour and overlook God's great grace. Look around and you will see many of our friends and neighbors getting caught up in this world's fluff and foolishness.

At the same time, their eyes are blinded to the wonders of God's love, the sacrifice of the Savior, and the ongoing guidance of the Holy Spirit. The divine gifts which have been won at the cost of Jesus' life are passed over as inconsequential.

It is my prayer your life and focus are different.

By the Holy Spirit's power, look at Jesus. Let your eyes be lifted from the unimportant and see the great thing that the Lord has done for you. Focus on the Christ who has saved you, your soul, your family, your friends, from the fires of eternal agony and anguish.

Let the Lord lift your hearts from that which seems important and show you something better -- Someone far more important and worthy of our attention and veneration.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, forgive me for those times when the things of this world seem to be of prime importance. May I always acknowledge the greatness of Your love and the sacrifice of my Savior. Send Your Holy Spirit upon me so that my priorities may be right and proper. This I ask in the Savior's Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Job 3-4    Matthew 8:1-17

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