Distractions!
We live in an overly complicated world. There are distractions everywhere. We can get distracted with life and quit exercising and before we know it our bodies are out of shape. We can get distracted eating what looks appealing. And the next thing we know we have some extra pounds that we are carrying around.
Most people think and worry about what things look like on the outside. But the damage that happens on the inside is way more concerning. What is on the outside is just a symptom of the root problem. And until we see those visible symptoms we tend to ignore those things that are bringing a lot of harm to us. It also comes so gradually that we tend to not focus on it until it is major and we realize if we don’t make a change it is going to be a life or death matter.
Damage
The other day there was some snow coming down on my way to work. I was thinking that I should probably be more careful but since it was just starting to cover the road I thought it probably was not that bad yet. The one thing that I had not taken into account was what the weather had been doing before there was a skiff of snow on the ground.
As I was heading down a hill that curves to the left as you go down, I did not go in a lower gear as I normally do. And as I was going down I got distracted with something else along with my thoughts and I was going faster than I should have been. I ended up not curving to the left but straight into the bank. I was unable to back the vehicle out so I had to call my husband.
Help arrived
When my husband arrived he and my daughter got in front of the vehicle and started to push. By this time we had an audience. All the little children that stand out for the bus had arrived and they were staring. Soon there were some parents that showed up as well and were asking if we needed help. How embarrassing!
Finally, my husband and daughter had me pushed out. After the school bus passed by and all the children were loaded up and gone, I pulled the car across the road to a parking lot. My husband came and looked things over. Surprisingly the right side of the car that went into the bank the most appeared to have no damage but the left-hand side had enough damage he was afraid to have me drive it until he could check it out. The left side already had damage from my father-in-law when he was driving it years ago so it had more weakness but also the chunks of snow appeared to be larger and harder than the ones that hit the right side.
Spiritual distractions
What about spiritually? Do we realize how bad the road of life is? Are we going through life carefully or are we being distracted?
We are living in a time in earth’s history like never before. The “road” is getting more dangerous to travel. It seems like things are okay and we go oblivious on our way not staying focused and “driving” to fast for the conditions.
We are so busy with work, the pleasures of this world, keeping the house in order, doing church duties (oh, but church those are good and right things, correct?), maybe staying fit and maybe even having “family” time that we forget the most important thing that keeps us on the “road”. Here is the question, Are we on the right road?
Which road is right?
When my son heard which direction of our loop road I had been traveling on he let me know he never goes that way this time of year. It is steep and more likely to be a problem in the winter time. For me, I have traveled that road for more than 25 years and never had a problem. But that day I was so distracted with my thoughts as well as looking away. Looking away from your driving is hazardous. I had already almost hit a deer because I was adjusting my heat.
You might say that we are living in the “winter” of this world’s history. We don’t have time to be taking the wrong road. We need to be taking the road that is safer, leading us to heaven rather than taking the road that leads to destruction. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it” Matthew 7:13, 14.
The most important
The first and most important thing in life is keeping our relationship with Christ. The devil wants to keep us distracted by the things of this world that we forget our connection with Christ. And he can keep us distracted even with good and right things. But we have to make God our priority. We need our priorities straight.
You may be asking but isn’t my family supposed to be my priority? There is a place for family but not before God. “If any man come to me, and hate (love less) not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” Luke 14:26. We need to love God above everything and everybody including ourselves. He needs to be the priority in our lives. And the reality is we cannot truly love others or ourselves without Jesus dwelling in our heart through His Holy Spirit. Our own love is filled with selfishness.
Prioritize
Taking care of ourselves is a priority after God. You may be saying, “Isn’t that selfish?” Making our priority God is taking care of ourselves first spiritually but we also should take care of our physical needs as well. Many people will say I don’t have time to exercise or eat right because I am too busy trying to take care of everyone else. Wrong thinking! We cannot properly take care of others if our physical and spiritual life isn’t in order.
After our spiritual and physical has taken priority then our family comes next. If you’re married your wife or husband is your next priority and then your children. If you’re not married yet your parents and siblings are your next priority. We have to keep our priorities in the right order. Now we cannot neglect our family by saying that we are taking care of our spiritual and physical needs and we don’t have time for the family. We have to cut things out of our lives so that we do have the time to do what God intends for our lives. It starts by making a plan, making out a schedule, and following it.
Dear Father,
We need Your help in prioritizing our lives. I know from experience that as I set my priorities to spend time with You and to take care of my body temple, that You want to dwell in, my time multiplies. But I still struggle to trust You. Give me Your strength and courage to follow Your ways.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Don’t let the things of this world distract you. Make a commitment today to take the right road and to stay focused on the priorities.
Have you ever gone off the road? What did you learn? I would love to have you share below in the comments.
Stay tuned for my next blog to hear, as Paul Harvey would say, “The rest of the story.”