Distraction...a person or thing that prevents concentration. How many times have you been cruising along in life and BAMMM, a snake bites? It hurts so bad you can hardly stand it and you know you are about to die at any moment. You feel the pain to the very core and the actual bite marks are so sensitive you can hear the flesh screaming at you. What ever you were thinking or doing before has long escaped any shred of your memory and the newness of the attack has seized your mind. What once was an agenda is now a forgotten to do. What once was your heart felt passion is now a picture in the distant clouds. No plan, no vision, no where to go just a heart so deeply wounded with pain.
Many of us have had this experience. Some of us have these experiences each and every day. Our boss comes in to tell us our work load is now doubled, the school calls to inform us of behavioral problems with our child, our close friend informs us she is moving away, our mom has been diagnosed with cancer, and the list could go on. It's those things in life that stop us dead in our tracts and can sometimes paralyze us from life. We go into zombie mode, where we simply walk about doing something but really doing nothing. Our faith driven life that should be motivated by our desire and love for the Lord turns into a mere donut; running in circles is the picture of our walk. We consume ourselves with ourselves and our hurt, and that forbidden path of destruction awaits. These distraction become so weight bearing upon our souls that every ounce of joy is ripped from within us.
So what do we do? How do we over come? Let me first preface by saying God may allow those distractions to come into our lives to draw us closer to Him or draw some one else that is watching closer to Him. I believe God can use those distractions and make something very beautiful out of something horrific. The Bible say that He can work ALL things for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28) Sad thing is I have seen this ring true in so many lives of those around me and even in my own life but when distractions come I sometimes fail to believe those truths for myself. I quickly let the pain take over and turn to worry and heartbreak. Like Peter, I turn my eyes to the storm and forget to look to Him. Lord, forgive me!
What about you? What do you do when distractions strike? How do your respond? Does Zombie mode settle in? Do you forget your passion? Do you forget your purpose?
Now, I am not saying that life isn't going to catch us off guard or that we will never have disappointment, or trials, or terrible things that happen. What I am trying to get us to see is that when those things happen our response is crucial. We must recognize that even though God may use those distractions for good, Satan is battling for them to reek havoc in our lives, to steer us off course, to DISTRACT us from what once was our mission. Recognizing Satan's agenda is the first step in conquering him. It will require much courage but the One who requires it will supply it. We must prevent zombie mode and let the distractions in our lives turn to our motivation to love and serve Him more. There will always be that lady at work that rubs you the wrong way, the problem at home whether it be with your spouse, kids, or money, there will always be a flat tire when you least expect it, or a broken drier; Satan can use any means to push you off course. Remember at those very moments that God can also be calling you to move a step closer to Him. Use those distractions in your life and make them your eternal motivation!
No comments:
Post a Comment