Raspberries and Frogs

Identifying Distractions in your Walk with Christ

The sun speckled through the forest canopy as I carefully inched my way around the tennis courts. Nestled in the forest of northern Wisconsin my family came yearly to our friend’s lodge to play and relax. This was the one time of year, 9-year-old me, had unfettered access to all that the lodge could offer; fishing, canoes, bumper boats, skiing, wave runners, four wheelers, tennis, it was every kid’s dream. My family, all tennis players, started up a doubles game while I wandered in the nearby woods.

I held a stack of cups, each a frosty clear plastic, with a yacht logo on the side. Identical in size, but I had very different plans for each. Like tiny rubies scattered on the forest floor, wild raspberries grew on the fringes of the tennis courts. I stooped to harvest a cup full, popping every other berry in my mouth, straight from the bush. While moving the underbrush aside to search for more berries, I noticed movement by my feet. The smallest miniature frogs hopped for the safety of the nearest undisturbed foliage. The more I looked the more I saw. The raspberries and the tiny frogs were the same size and had almost the same squish factor. I began to collect the frogs in a separate cup. I ran to show my sisters, and my friend, Christine joined me, we quickly collected several cups full to take back to the lodge to inspect.

The short walk from the tennis courts to the main lodge was shady and pleasant. Christine and I each with our arms holding multiple yacht cups filled with treasures of berries and frogs chatted as we walked. An unfortunate mini frog skittered across the road, and we worked together to add him to our collection.  We reloaded our arms with our gatherings and walked on.  I popped a few raspberries into my mouth and savored the tart sweetness. Then without looking grabbed for another. Whoops wrong cup! The tiny frog almost made it to my mouth before I realized the scared green amphibian was not the juicy berry I was looking for. The cups were the same weight, held the same size objects. The cups overwhelmed my arms and when I wasn’t paying attention the contents were so easily switched. I want to say I kept my cool but I’m pretty sure the cup of frogs hit the gravel, and they all escaped. No matter, I still had my raspberries.

Our arms are overfilled with life sometimes and we can easily forget the value difference in the things we are carrying. The enemy wants to distract you and have you believe the cup of frogs are God’s fresh wild raspberries. Repeatedly the Scripture tells us to pay attention, stay alert, be ready. We need to be aware of counter fit gospels.

What are some examples in our culture today?  The prosperity “gospel” is a cup of frogs. Expectations in life that may or may not come to fruition. Cup of frogs. Material possessions, even good goals can be a cup of frogs. Valuing anything in this world over Christ is a cup of frogs. A cup of frogs might be interesting, pique your curiosity, you may even think they are cute but, a cup of frogs has no value!  A cup of frogs may occupy your time, but it won’t nourish your body.

Raspberries are rich in antioxidants, high in fiber and a great source for other nutrients such as manganese, and potassium. The gospel changes you from the inside out, developing love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness, the fruit of the Spirit. Christ’s Word is the source of our nourishment.

I sought out the raspberries, deliberately moving branches and bending to reach them, the frogs were a distraction. They came jumping out from bushes and hopped directly into my path. Spiritual growth is much the same way. Intentionality is a vital part of growing in the Lord. Satan loves to distract us with obsessions that hop into our path. My original mission was to gather as many raspberries as possible. It is so easy to become distracted by a new side quest and before we realize it we have forgotten our purpose.

Hebrews 12:1 reminds us to “Lay aside every weight and sin that so easily ensnares us…” and encourage us in verse 2 to “Keep our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith…”  

Read Ephesians 4:17-5:21: In this passage Paul is speaking to the Ephesians, most of whom are Gentiles. They have grown up and are ingrained in the Ephesian culture. The town of Ephesus was the home of the temple of Artemis. The Ephesian culture of pagan worship permeated all of life.  In Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul is emphatically explaining that they must rid themselves of the old way of doing things, focus on and pursue the Jesus way. We cannot continue to hold on to the old things of this world, the cups of frogs, while simultaneously attempting to enjoy the fruit of a relationship with the living God. Our arms can only hold so much and continuing to cling to our old way of life only brings distraction, confusion, and slip ups. It will lead us away from the goodness of God.

Ephesians chapter 5 verses 15-17 Paul reiterates, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Our culture often wants to complicate the “will of God”, conflating the specifics of our life plan with the purpose of following Christ. In the journaling questions we will look at several passages that tell us exactly about the will of God. We often want him to reveal a whole picture to us before we lay down our frogs and focus.  Rarely in Scripture do we see God showing those he uses the whole plan before requiring action. So, Paul says, “Make the best use of the time” we have here. Set down your frogs. Focus on the task at hand, enjoy the wild fruit of living in his will, and the sweet sustenance of his Word.

The Good Portion Journaling Questions:

What is it that you cling to? What fills your arms, your time, your thoughts? What are your ‘cups of frogs’, distracting you from your original purpose?

Remind yourself of your purpose and original mission: Read Matthew 28:19-20

(For additional study, read these passages and note the original audience, their application and ours, what do you learn about God, is there a Promise, a Character trait that reveals himself? What does this passage tell me about my purpose and mission? Ephesians 2: 8-10, James 1: 22-27, Revelation 2:1-7, Psalm 138:8, Isaiah 30:20-22)

What other passages of Scripture does the Holy Spirit bring to your mind when you think about fulfilling your purpose in Christ?

What does Hebrews 12:1 tell us about our spiritual growth and how to handle distractions?

What are some practical ways to “keep our eyes on Jesus”? Day to day what changes can you make to ensure He is always in View?

Read Ephesians 6:10-20

How might Ephesians 6 help us to set down the distractions and pursue Christ fully?

* Ephesians 6:18b “To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”

What part does prayer play in keeping you alert?

Take some time to pray for each other, that your brothers and sisters in Christ would stay alert. Find an accountability partner to help keep you “alert with all perseverance.”

Thank the Lord for staying by our side in the distraction and bringing us back to himself. Praise him for the way he nourishes us in his love, patience, in the counsel of the Holy Spirit and his Word.