As of late I have found myself with an unusually significant amount of distractions. Sure, just like anyone I have times where I just can't seem to focus, but this is more than that. Things that normally would be dismissed and not another thought given have occupied space and energy in my life taking valuable time and resources from where I should be expending efforts. These things are joy stealers, cause anxiety and make me want to respond in the flesh to "take care of business". But I know, this is a tactic we see in the Bible time and again, as Satan attempts to pull us away from our Lord. From the garden to the final book of Revelation his tactics have proven to be effective. Wear you down and create distractions because he can't have you if your in Christ, but he can by extension, render you ineffective for productive heavenly use. Christmas is just such an occasion for many people. The joy of giving gifts and receiving them, can become a future distraction as you are preoccupied by the new toy or gadget and if that doesn't distract you maybe the return process will for a defective item. Or maybe that credit card bill that comes in higher than expected. Leaving you with regret, sorrow, anxiety and of course as the season ends and a new year comes many are plagued with depression. I am aware of the distractions in my life, I know many are spiritually motivated to distract me from serving and loving God and His people the way I should. But what about you? The first step to resolving these distractions is to address them head on and recognize they rob you of your primary purpose. After acknowledging these distractions it is important to resolve them. I would suggest that you take them to the cross first and give them to God. You trust Him with your eternity so why not trust Him with the day to day things? Remove time wasters and distractions such as games on your phone, news aps that you are constantly waiting on the next headline as if there won't be several more in the moments following, and using the latest social medias sites, posting, filming, responding, and following the latest trends. Which by the way is never a great plan. I guess I just wanted to encourage you today that the God of all creation cares about your choices, not only the big ones but the little ones. He delights in a child of His who is willing to protect against such distractions because He doesn't want to compete with the flesh, He in fact has conquered the flesh and defeated death. He has given His Spirit to us that we might live wisely and experience the joy He intended from the beginning.
Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Col 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
