The Distractions are Real

It is a bit of a paradox.  A contradiction really.  These days of quarantine – of canceled commitments, freer schedules and (much) more time at home – should allow us (much) more opportunity to draw close to Jesus.  To grow our faith and deepen our roots.  In some ways, I suppose it has but, as I listen to others, the idea that there just isn’t enough time seems to still ring loud.  More “free” time but not enough time.

Not enough time Bible reading – much less deep Bible study.  Not enough time to pray over basic or daily needs – certainly not for extended prayer or simply to be still while sitting at His feet.  Even when given more time, there just does not seem to be enough time.  Why?

The problem is not really the amount of time we have but how we choose to use the hours we are given.  This is just as true during the days of quarantine and shut-downs as it was during our busiest, pre-pandemic days.  There are endless distractions and we must purposefully and prudently choose how we will spend our time.  We must remember we always in our battle.  The enemy wants to defeat us and delights to distract us.  With so much extra time, it stands to reason that he will offer even more distractions.

Your distractions might be different than mine, but the distractions are real.  Identify them.  Not all distractions are evil.  But we need to know what easily diverts our attention, sidetracks us from what is best and most needed, and what the enemy too easily uses to divert our focus from the Lord.  Once we identify our distractions, we need plans and strategies to circumvent them throughout the day.  Doing so, we defeat our enemy!

I want to look back on these quarantine days – and extra hours in my schedule – as a spiritual gift.  To look back and identify real spiritual victories and lessons learned from spending time with Jesus.  That will only be possible if I resist the distractions.