The Art of Distraction
“We would all know more, live nearer to God, and grow in grace—if we were more alone with God.” ― Charles H. Spurgeon
Distractions. A plague in itself that has become an increasingly subtle undertone of our lives. Like the addition of yeast in a bread starter that just rises over time until it over takes the spanse of its container, distractions also have a way of gaining ground slowly until we are so engulfed that we feel as though we have no control. Just acceptance.
The myriad of apps that we find necessary for every aspect of our lives. Deemed to create order and necessity, it also becomes one more thing we have to “check” in the spare moments of our lives. Apps for socializing, apps for cooking, apps for tracking productivity, apps for communication, apps for education (have a need, there’s an app for that). If only these were our only distractions, however these are just the tip of the iceberg.
Why the rant? Because I am the most guilty of falling into this trap.
I have been overwhelmingly distracted by a phone that steals very precious moments of my life, by a busy schedule that I have allowed to over run our family time, by a list of “to-do’s” in hopes to meet the demands of the people and events in my life and by anxiety that comes from the effort to try to keep up and still not have enough time to get it all done. Are these distractions bad? Are they all sinful? No.
But. (Yep, there is always a but.)
When we are inundated with ways to derail our attention from the things that matter most in our lives, from the very things we were created with a purpose for on this Earth, we miss out on the gift of this life. We unknowingly create idols and break the very heart of God.
Where is all of this coming from you might wonder?
History in the making. A little extra “time at home” because of the Coronavirus that has affected our entire world both literally and figuratively. As I have prayed for our world, and sought God on the current crisis at hand, he has shown me unfathomable peace. Which in itself is huge for someone who has always struggled with anxiety in varying degrees. In this time, I have reflected a lot on how this plays out spiritually.
Usually this time of the year, everyone is talking about lent and gearing up for a lent devotional perhaps. An avenue for some more disciplined time with God in remembrance of his sacrifice for us and our undivided love and devotion, to the one for whom the greatest act of love was ever shown. Instead, we have been a nation consumed with fear and trembling at the unknown. Our trust laid to the side and our attention diverted by the greatest deceiver and enemy to our souls. When my ears heard the words anxiety, unknowns, isolation, fear and loss, God whispered to my heart “Don’t let the enemy distract you”.
Do I think it is a coincidence that something so grandure and frighteningly impossible would hit the world in the months and weeks leading up to when our hearts should be preparing to reflect on the one life that once lived to save us all? Absolutely not.
It is the art of distraction.
But fear not, for God is with us, do not be dismayed because God will strengthen us and uphold us with his righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41) He “who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” (Galatians 1:4) He is faithful. He will not abandon us, he will not forsake us. (Deut. 31:6) What is impossible with man is possible with God. (Luke 18:27)
Let me be clear in saying, yes there is a problem. Yes, people are sick and dying and there are a lot of unknowns, BUT when you put your trust in the Lord and seek him with all your heart, you will have a peace that surpasses understanding. Checking the numbers constantly and watching the news is not going to add another minute to your life, in fact it does just the opposite.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33
Friends. His promises are true. He is good. He has already overcome the world. I am reminded of the story of when Jesus walked on the water and he told his disciples to not be afraid (because they thought he was a ghost). Peter then says, “Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water,” (How relatable is Peter?! Our fallible nature is always requesting God to prove himself to us in one way or another.) When Jesus tells Peter to get out of the boat and walk, he does. Until he see the wind, he gets distracted and begins to sink. Then he calls out to the Lord to save him. In the loving kindness of God, “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14)
So why do you doubt?
We do not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future, as the saying goes. I challenge you to turn your eyes upon Jesus and don’t let the “winds of distraction” derail you from the praise and the glory that is rightfully God’s always but even more so now.
Don’t take for granted this extra time you have been given. Yes, organizing the house, starting on that project you always wanted to start or challenging yourself to finally start a workout routine (ummm just throwing out some of my own personal goals here) are all good ways to spend your time, but I think God may be challenging us to throw out our excuses and seek him with our whole heart to hear his still small voice and to watch his mercies unfold. Give him thanks for all that he is already doing and all that, in faith, you know he will do. Look forward to a resurrection at the end of this gloomy outlook. This friends is where the “rubber meets the road” of our faith so to speak.
Time is a gift we are all longing for, and I believe in a God who gives abundantly and lovingly and who knows us better than we know ourselves.
How are you spending your time? Will you look back on this time in regret, or will you look back with gratitude because you received rest, time to reflect, create, encourage, spread joy and re-evaluate?
I know this has been crazy long (I guess that is what happens when I hold it all in and don’t blog for a year and a half), but I want to leave you with one more thing. I have been playing the old hymn and song “Turn your eyes upon Jesus” over and over. I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. So I want to leave you with some of the lyrics:
“O soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free
Turn you eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there
Over us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conquerors we are
And turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
His word shall not fail you, He promised
Believe Him and all will be well
Then go to a world that is dying
His perfect salvation to tell
And turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace”
Turn your eyes to Jesus, because he is the one worthy of our time and attention. He cares deeply for our every need and he is waiting for you. He will direct your path. Where the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, he comes to give life and give it abundantly. (John 10:10)
Be well, and stay positive friends. We serve a mighty, mighty God.
