(Pastor James Scarborough, Donalsonville Assembly of God)

With school back into full swing, I wonder how many times the teachers will have to remind their students to pay attention.

When I was in school, it was not a good thing to get caught not paying attention. I recall during reading class each student taking a turn to read out loud. As the teacher would instruct a student to stop reading, it was an automatic signal to the next student to begin reading where the previous one stopped. But from time to time, the one that was supposed to begin reading had to admit with horror: “I lost my place!” You can be sure that such a response was not an acceptable answer to the teacher.

Did I ever get caught not paying attention in class? I’m not admitting to anything. I’m just borrowing an illustration from the past! (I remind you, however, that in those days, teachers had the authority, willingness and ability to implement discipline—and they did. Some of the discipline that was exercised then, if used today, would possibly send the teacher to the unemployment line, if not to jail, but one thing was certain--there was order in the classroom!)

Paying attention is not only needful in the classroom; it has tremendous benefits in many areas of life. Another of those areas is paying attention to the body.

Years ago I observed a little spot that came up on my skin, but I did not think too much about it at first. As time went on, it remained and started to show some unusual characteristics, so I chose to go in and let the doctor check it out. He excised it for a biopsy, which indicated that it was malignant. But because I paid attention to the changes that were taking place, all of the lesion was removed in one simple procedure, and it has given me no additional problems. Had I ignored it or simply had not been paying attention, over time it could have been a much more serious issue.

Of eternal importance, it is essential that we pay attention to what God seeks to teach us spiritually and what He strives to make us aware of regarding our relationship with Him. Proverbs 4:1 includes this sound advice: “Pay attention and gain understanding” (NIV).

What should we pay attention to to nurture our spiritual well being?

We must pay careful attention to what God says to us through His written Word and as the Holy Spirit deals with our hearts. We must pay attention to what is going on in our lives to see if something is becoming more important to us than pleasing God. We must pay attention to see if some behavior or attitude that is contrary to God’s Word is being allowed to reign in our lives.

Failing to pay attention in class can result in corrective actions by the teacher and failing to pay attention to the body can allow disease to compromise health, but failing to pay attention to our relationship with God has eternal significance and will hinder our spiritual growth and effectiveness.

As followers of Christ, when we pay attention to His directions for our lives, we are like sheep following a good and caring shepherd. Note how He beautifully describes this relationship: “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).