Distractions

Today’s waking thoughts: one week since my last blog entry. OK, today I will sit down and write another. Do I have to write it today? Yes, Barb, you want to. True, I do have ‘God moments’ to share and, frankly, I like writing! Well, actually, the writing part is a challenge to produce something coherent, but I like finishing well. Barb, stop your mind from wandering and think about your topic. But first, I need to eat breakfast, check my emails, and go to yoga. Afterward, for sure, I will sit down at the computer . . .

Later: yoga is done; next comes lunch. Well, I will write after lunch; cannot write on an empty stomach . . .

Even later: stomach full, but better make some phone calls first. Sit down at the computer. One last check for new emails. Open up a new Word document and type in my title . . .
Do I hear the mail dropping into my mailbox? Better have a look-there might be something important to open. With the mail recycled (it was not important) and walking back to my desk past my bedroom, the unmade bed reminds me it is sheet-washing day. Yes, they can be washing while I am writing. Multi-tasking is good! Off to the laundry room . . .

Still later: sit back down. Open my Bible. Start typing, but wait – that is another topic! Save that under different title . . .
Lord, HELP! What is keeping me from concentrating on your Word and the message you have for me? DISTRACTIONS! Lord, show me the Scripture to focus on, please!

But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 NLT

Walking toward Jerusalem with Jesus, some new believers accepted his offer to, “Come, follow me.” Jesus explained that following him meant traveling around Palestine and proclaiming the Gospel. The new believers were eager but expressed some conditions. One man asked to first return home to bury his father. Another wanted to say goodbye to his family. Certainly, these are simple, respectful things to do, right? No, Jesus does not want distractions to lead us away from him. He wants our complete devotion.

Looking back, like the farmer with the plow did, has serious consequences just like Lot’s wife experienced in Old Testament times. The city that Lot and his family lived in was full of people disobeying God's ways. Finally, having had enough of their blatant wickedness, God sent his angels to warn Lot to take his family out of the city because he planned to destroy it and all the inhabitants. The end of the story sees Lot and his family running out the city gates into the countryside “but Lot’s wife looked back as she was following along behind him, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26). She longed for just one more glimpse of her old life and paid dearly for that lack of devotion to the Lord.

How easily I change my mind’s lens from a telephoto view of God which blocks out all other sights, to a wide-angle view of many other intriguing images. When I am writing, by completely focusing on God, I enjoy an ongoing dialogue with him about the message. It is my choice, but I need his strength, his willpower to let the distractions melt into nothing. Later, I can do the laundry, check the mail, or eat lunch. When God gives me a message, I need to respond immediately, not wasting any time getting it onto paper. When he gives any of us believers a special purpose or mission, we need to act accordingly. Not doing so will bring distress and may delay or even negate the intended blessings.

Lord, thank you for the blessings of your love for me, that I should deserve the messages you give me. With your power, dissolve the distractions that lead me away from you and, instead, focus my attention solely upon you. Do the same for my dear readers, too! Amen.