Distractions

After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?"
"Yes, Lord," he answered, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Take care of my lambs." A second time Jesus said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

"Yes, Lord," he answered, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep." A third time Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter became sad because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" and so he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!"

Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep. I am telling you the truth: when you were young, you used to get ready and go anywhere you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you up and take you where you don't want to go." (In saying this, Jesus was indicating the way in which Peter would die and bring glory to God.) Then Jesus said to him, "Follow me!"

Peter turned around and saw behind him that other disciple, whom Jesus loved---the one who had leaned close to Jesus at the meal and had asked, "Lord, who is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?"

Jesus answered him, "If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So a report spread among the followers of Jesus that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say he would not die; he said, "If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you?"
(John 21:15-23 GNB)

When you read the above passage it looks as just a typical conversation that Jesus could have had with any of the disciples. But look deeper. Peter became distracted with what others were doing instead of what the Lord was telling him.

Do you have times when God is pointing you in a direction or bringing you through something and instead of focusing on Him, your focus is on other people? I know I have in the past and probably will in the future. Perhaps God is bringing you though some rather difficult times and instead of seeing how God has strengthened you and blessed you, you look and see that there are others around you that seem to have it easy. It can be difficult if you get distracted. That is why we have to keep our eyes on the Lord.

Peter looked away from Jesus to see John. Let's strive to stayed focused on the Lord.