Former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev told of a time when there was a wave of theft in the Soviet Union. To curtail this the authorities put up guards around the factories. At one timberworks in Leningrad, the guard knew the workers at the factory very well. The first evening, out came Pyotr Petrovich whith 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 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.” Petrovich replied, “Wheelbarrows.”

I think it is Satan’s desire to get us distracted like that guard was. If Satan can get our attention onto the economy, North Korea, our kids’ activities, and paying for all our possessions, then Jesus and His blessings slip by us unnoticed. Focusing on the minors, we completely miss the majors.

What has distracted you from the main thing?

Tags: Add new tag, distraction, humor, Krushchev