Chasing rabbits

“Chasing Rabbits”

A farmer is plowing his field when he suddenly spots a rabbit darting away. He jumps off his tractor and begins chasing it. Finally, he gives up and climbs back on his tractor. Before long another rabbit is spotted, and off he goes again. By the end of the day, the farmer has chased a dozen or more rabbits - but his field is not yet ready for planting.

“Chasing rabbits” is a colorful way of describing the person who is constantly distracted from what is important. It’s the label I would give to those who were glued to their screens this past Tuesday to watch a skyscraper-climbing raccoon. What were they neglecting as they closely followed the lengthy saga of this nocturnal daredevil?

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, a raccoon was spotted on Tuesday on a ledge of a St. Paul, Minnesota office building, about two floors up. Despite efforts by maintenance workers to rescue the critter, it began climbing. Many hours later it was finally trapped (safely) on the roof of that 25-story building.

I’m told that the video of this event went viral as it happened. I don’t know how many that means, but “viral” usually suggests tens of thousands or far more. The attention of all these people was focused on a raccoon!

Jesus spoke of the danger of “chasing rabbits” when it comes to our souls when he explained part of His Parable of the Sower: “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).

There are so many distractions in this world, and we invite many of them into our lives. By allowing our smartphones to alert us to incoming texts, breaking news, sports updates, etc., we invite distraction. What do we neglect by allowing ourselves to be so distracted? Are the things that distract us really so important?

When Jesus was a guest in her home Martha fell victim to this danger. While her sister Mary “sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word ... Martha was distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:39,40). There is nothing inherently wrong with serving; it has to be done at times. But what was Martha missing because she was “distracted”?

Jesus commented on the wisdom of Mary: “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). We are taught in God’s word that “one thing” is needed for us, too.

Make priorities and keep them. Find ways to shut out distractions. “... seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

~~ Timothy Hall