Travelogue: Distraction Being Number One Problem Of Pilgrims In Isreal

The bible has always admonished us on the need to remain focused on kingdom matters and to avoid distraction which will make us Loose heaven. Hebrew 12: 2 says " looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." To drive this point home,when Jesus entered the house of Martha, Martha was busy preparing what the guest would eat, while her sister Mary sat on the feet of Jesus, listening to the word. When Mary complained to Jesus that her sister was not helping with house chores, this was what Jesus said..." Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about so many things. But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that good part,which will not be taken away from her( Luke 10: 41-42)."In other words Martha was distracted with things that will not help her make heaven, but Mary was more bothered about making heaven. It should be pointed out here is not that what Martha was doing was not important, but as important as food is, that wouldn't take her to heaven. She should placed high premium on things of God first then others should followed. "But seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these things shall be added to you (Matt 6:33)."

Iam now placing the three quotations of the bible above vis a vis the attitude of the first batch of 2016 pilgrims. I must say the attitude of the pilgrims to kingdom matters left much to be desired as they were like Martha distracted with other things, especially making purchases. In the middle of pilgrimage, a lot people get distracted by traders selling their wares to the extent of loosing elaborate spiritual exercises that could aid them make heaven. A lot of people were so distracted so much so that even if somebody came to sell lizards or cockroaches, there were people that would give him attention. While others engaged in buying, others were busy engaging in irreverent discussions that had no bearing to issues at stake and in the process disrupting very critical spiritual exercises.

In fact I was so worried with this attitude that i remembered the story of Lot's wife in the bible. In chapter 19 of Genesis When the angel of the Lord saved Lot's family from being destroyed in Sodom and Gomorrah, he instructed them not to look back, but I guess because Lot's wife was distracted by the things left behind in Sodom, she looked back and she became a pillar of salt. I used to tell the pilgrims that even if the Lord instructed us not to buy anything, a lot people will disobey this instruction, especially the women and therefore in the process we would have left behind several people that would have become pillars of salt in Israel.

Brethren in Christ when given opportunity to visit the holy land please do not be distracted by the other things like Martha. Focus on spiritual matters for your spiritual growth because there is time for shopping which has been incorporated in the programme.

By: Fenny J Fwa