Derailed by Distraction

In a world filled with multi-tasking, speedy technology, on-demand entertainment, and social media, it is easy to understand how we get distracted. I have been disappointed at times when I realize how much of my attention the computer, or some other electronic device has captured eaten up my time. What about you, when was the last time you sat still, by yourself, with zero stimulation—all in an effort to quiet your soul? My guess is that it has been awhile. In fact, if you are under the age of thirty, you may never have done anything like that. For anyone pursuing a deeper relationship with God and a closeness to Jesus, the idea of distraction can be depressing. It is challenging enough to handle the day-to-day work that comes our way, but we also live in a culture that rewards busyness over quiet reflection. What we need is a supernatural time management program, but, until that gets discovered, we can look to the Bible for three key thoughts on dealing with distraction.

Purpose—The apostle Paul provides perspective on biblical purpose in Colossians 1:28 when he writes, “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.” He makes it clear that this is what he works for; to proclaim Jesus to people and challenge them to grow in God’s word. We have a charge to the do the same thing and a clearly stated purpose plays a major role in keeping us “on task”. Do you have clarity on your purpose?

Priorities—Having a clear focus on our purpose is helpful, however, life still has a tendency to take us over. Refreshing ourselves regularly on what is most important in our lives is critical to avoid distraction. Have you ever been so pressed for time in the morning that you were unable to spend time with Jesus? Have you ever found yourself busy to the point where you were unable to stop and help someone in need? If this is the case, then your priorities may need a reset. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Jesus’s way is to prioritize your relationship with the Father, and He will handle the provision that most of us stress over. Are you seeking Him first before anything else?

Perimeter—Establishing a perimeter around your priorities will help keep you on track. Think of the perimeter as boundaries to guide decisions on investing the resources God has given you. The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:23 that, “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” Today’s culture tells us we can do it all and have it all, but you can’t find any support for that in the Bible. Establishing boundaries on where we spend our time, who we spend it with, and what occupies our attention will help to minimize distraction. Are there any areas of your life where you may need to set boundaries?

It is safe to assume that the apostle Paul was a busy guy as he spent his life sharing Jesus, establishing new churches, and training up future leaders to continue the work of Christ. He was a candidate for distraction as much as anyone, however, to the degree we can tell through the Bible, he stayed on task until his death. Don’t you want to be a part of the work God has prepared specifically for you (Ephesians 2:10)? Where in your life are you distracted and what are you willing to do to fix it?

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