Tag: why are we always so distracted?

Distraction rarely announces itself as an enemy; sometimes it looks like something good, something important, or something we simply cannot live without. The danger is not always that distraction takes us somewhere terrible, it is that it slowly takes our eyes off the place God has called us to be.

A seldomly addressed or even noticed battle that Christians face today is not necessarily the battle to believe in God, it is the battle to pay attention to God.

We live in a world competing for our attention. It’s a never ending list of ongoing distractions. 

Our phones want our attention. Social media wants our attention. News wants our attention. Work wants our attention. Entertainment wants our attention. Other people’s opinions want our attention.

And somewhere in the middle of all that noise, God is calling.

When we look to see and try to understand what we are expected to do, Jesus gives us one of the clearest pictures of distraction in Luke 10:38–42: “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”  But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Martha is serving Jesus while Mary is sitting at His feet listening to Him. Martha becomes frustrated and says, essentially, “Jesus, don’t You care that I’m doing all this work?

Jesus responds:

“Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful.”

Notice something important: Martha wasn’t doing something sinful. She was serving Jesus.

Her problem wasn’t that she was serving. Her problem was that her service had become a distraction from the Savior. Think about what He said; it is a powerful warning for Christians. Sometimes the devil doesn’t need to tempt you with something obviously evil. Sometimes all he needs to do is make you:

• Too busy to pray.
• Too busy to read Scripture.
• Too busy to worship.
• Too busy to listen.
• Too busy to rest.
• Too busy to obey.

Hebrews 12:1 tells us to “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Notice that Scripture mentions weight and sin. Understand that not everything that weighs you down is necessarily sinful, some things are quite simply unnecessary. Distractions can be anything that continually consumes our attention, energy, emotions, or time while pulling us away from God’s priorities.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:15–16: “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 time is limited.
• Our attention is limited.
• Our energy is limited.

Because of this we must become intentional about how and where we choose to spend them. “Proverbs 4:25 says: Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.” In other words, watch where you’re looking. In modern terms stop letting the squirrels grab more of your attention then they deserve. Because where your eyes go, your heart often follows.

This is why Colossians 3:1–2: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” tells believers to set their minds on things above, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Being a Christian requires intentional focus. When we really look at it we know that there will always be another notification. Another crisis. Another argument. Another temptation. Another opportunity. Another demand. 

But not every demand deserves your attention. Not every opportunity is your assignment. Not every problem is yours to solve. Not every voice deserves to speak into your life.

Sometimes spiritual maturity means saying:

“This may be important, but it is not what God has called me to focus on right now.”

Jesus didn’t allow the demands of the crowd to prevent Him from spending time with the Father.

• He withdrew.
• He prayed.
• He focused.

And if Jesus intentionally protected His time with the Father, how much more should we?

The question isn’t simply:

“What is distracting me?”

The deeper question is:

“What is this distraction keeping me from?”

• Maybe it’s keeping you from prayer.
• Maybe it’s keeping you from your family.
• Maybe it’s keeping you from serving.
• Maybe it’s keeping you from healing.
• Maybe it’s keeping you from God’s Word.
• Maybe it’s keeping you from becoming the person God is calling you to become.

The first step toward overcoming distraction is recognizing it for what they are. Always remember that you cannot defeat what you refuse to identify.

Thought to Ponder

What has been receiving more of my attention lately, God’s voice or the voices competing with Him?

Journaling Prompt

Write down the five things that currently consume most of your attention. Then ask:

• Is this drawing me closer to God?
• Is this pulling me away from God?
• Is this something God has actually called me to carry?
• What is one distraction I need to surrender this week?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, open my eyes to the distractions that I have allowed to quietly enter my life. Show me and help me recognize the things that are consuming my attention and are producing nothing of eternal value. Teach and help me to lay aside every weight and every sin that keeps me from navigating the path You have placed before me. Give me wisdom to know what deserves my attention and the determination, courage and endurance to release what does not. Like Mary, help me choose what is truly necessary and sit at the feet of Jesus. In Jesus Name Amen

Bible Verses:

• Luke 10:38–42 “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”  But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” 
• Hebrews 12:1–2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
• Proverbs 4:25–27 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
• Colossians 3:1–2 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
• Ephesians 5:15–17 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.

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