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Mind Your Head. Awake Series, Part 29
We were sailing aboard a tour boat, heading for the Hole in the Rock
in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Most of the tourists were at the
ship's stern, complaining about the view, but I knew something they
didn't: The best spot to view this natural wonder was at the bow of
the ship! And that's where I was headed.
I had just crossed the ship's cabin area when it happened. I
initially thought the room was completely empty, but as I neared the
fore exit, I noticed a teenager in my path, fiddling with her Ipod.
"She's missing the highlight of the trip," I thought as I squeezed
by her. But with my attention turned towards the teen, I didn't
notice that the height of the door was less than equal to my own
height. Nor did I notice the sign posted over the door: "Mind your
head!" I turned away from that teen just in time to smack my head on
the top frame of that low door.
The impact sent me sprawling onto my back, with my head bouncing up
and down off the floor as if it were made of rubber. Needless to
say, I was disoriented for a while. I had no idea that it was
possible to see so many stars in the daytime!
The boat's photographer ran to my aid and helped me to my feet, then
he encouraged me to sit down for a while.
I looked at him strangely. Surely he would understand that I
couldn't do that! I had a picture to take!
The announcement came right then that we were sailing through the
hole of the rock. I pulled myself unsteadily to my feet and headed
outside, but believe me, I ducked this time! And I learned something
else: It's hard to take pictures when all your brain is worried
about is shaking off the dizziness! Nonetheless, I got my pictures
while sailing through the Hole of the Rock.
I have to wonder, however, if my fall had anything to do with the
funny focus of my pictures!
More often more than not, my focus isn't where it should be. I am
too distracted by my circumstances. I let them too easily overwhelm
me. If only my mind was always focused on: "I have to love like no
one else does, just like Jesus does!" If I had displayed this
attitude from the beginning, perhaps I would have avoided hitting my
head on the door jamb!
I wonder if this was the problem with the priest and the Levite when
they encountered that poor man on the road who had been severely
beaten by tugs. It seems that their focus was a bit off as well.
They had their own agendas, and they completely missed the purpose
of their existence:
"A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw
the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he
came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side." (Luke
10:31-33 NIV)
This priest and this Levite were kind of like the teenage on the
boat, the one who was so fascinated by her Ipod. I am certain she
would have come to my aid, if only she had noticed what had happened
to me!
It seems I am not the only one whose focus is off course. Our petty
obsessions keep us from focusing on others, like Jesus did. They
keep us from real living! Weren't we urged to "Above all, love each
other deeply..." (1 Peter 4:8 NIV)?
But like the good Samaritan in the story, there was one who came to
my aid: The photographer. Despite the fact that his job on the boat
was to take the best pictures possible, he was also focused on
others. He was my Good Samaritan and I am grateful for him. In a
small way, he portrayed God's focus on the universe: "Long before he
laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us
as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love."
(Eph 1:4 The Message)
It's time we take notice of the sign: "Mind your head"! A lot of
headaches could be avoided!
Are you minding your head?
Rob Chaffart |
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