Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev used to tell of a time when there was a wave of petty theft in the Soviet Union . To curtail this problem, the authorities posted guards around the factories. At one timber works in Leningrad the guard knew the workers in the factory very well. The first evening, out came Pyotr Petrovich pushing a wheelbarrow and, on the wheelbarrow, a great bulky sack with a suspicious-looking object inside.
“All right, Petrovich,” said the guard, “what have you got there?” “Oh, just sawdust and shavings,” Petrovich replied.
“Come on,” the guard said, “I wasn’t born yesterday. Tip it out.” And out came nothing but sawdust and shavings. So he was allowed to put it all back again and go home. When the same thing happened every night of the week the guard became frustrated. Finally, his curiosity overcame his frustration.
“Petrovich,” he said, “I know you. Tell me what you’re smuggling out of here, and I’ll let you go.” “Wheelbarrows, my friend,” said Petrovich, “wheelbarrows.”
The wheelbarrow incident reminds us of how easily YOU and I can become easily distracted by things that are trivial and lose things of tremendous value. This is one of Satan’s greatest weapons against us. He tempts us to focus on those things that are temporary and sensual (the things of the world, 1 John 2:15-16), so that we will neglect the eternal and spiritual (the things of God, 1 John 2:17; 2 Corinthians 4:18).
While we are examining the worthless sack of wood chips and shavings, the devil is smuggling wheelbarrows!
What Satan seeks most to “rob” from us is a saving relationship with God. This relationship has been made possible through the Gift of God’s Son who died on the cross to save us from our sins (Ephesians 1:7). God has promised to redeem those who believe in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). And, those who continue to follow the Heavenly Father faithfully will be given an eternal home with Him in heaven (Revelation 2:10).
Don’t let Satan rob YOU of your opportunity of eternal salvation through Christ.
Don’t be distracted…. Give attention to those things that are eternal! Submit to the Savior today!
David A. Sargent, Minister
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