A friend picked me up just before dusk on our way to an evening prayer meeting.
As we headed down the highway we slowed down at a 4-way stop. My friend looked right. As she looked left, I looked right again.
A 4×4 silver long bed pickup truck came barreling down the two-lane highway; he caught my attention.
The Lord broke into my thoughts:
“He is distracted.”
I could see him waving his right arm around to emphasize his point as he talked to the guy sitting in the passenger seat.
The Lord said:
“He’s not going to stop.”
He was going about 55-60 mph. My friend pulled out into the intersection.
“Stop!” I yelled.
She immediately hit her brakes.
Then the pick-up barreled through the intersection, swerving slightly to miss her front bumper.
The driver looked confused. His passenger turned around pointed to the “Stop” sign behind them. We imagined what he was saying:
“Man, you just missed that stop sign!”
The dazed driver sped down the road.
We were thanking the Lord, when my friend declared:
“He almost T-boned us! Who knows what would have happened to you…..to us!”
Art of Distractions Reflection
In parenting, it’s called “the art of distraction”. Distractions, are a tool used to get a two year old to do what you want! He wants to go one way, but you want him going another. He is insistent! So you use something…anything…to divert his attention elsewhere.
This happens to us as adults too! We let the enemy use the same tool to deflect us from our goals!
For adults, the distraction looks like mental distress: something diverts our direction; the path God wants us on.
Busy days pile up until they become a blur of overwhelming chaos and distractions. I had had a sleepless night followed by a day of back to back meetings before my friend went to pick me up. If I had allowed all of that mental distress to divert my focus, who knows what would have happened to us!
Distractions divide our attention, like the truck driver paying more attention to his story, than his driving. Distractions keep us from focusing on what really matters, like a stop sign on the road!
That’s why the Bible commands,
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
You will notice it is not a suggestion, but a command. Why? For protection!
Challenge
Having little to no time for God can compound the distractions. The screaming baby, no underwear in the drawer, the boss who insists you are behind on a project, all of this can thwart your well laid plans to be with the One who does not scream for your attention. The One who can help you stay focused and protect you!
I urge you all to: Stay alert! Stay focused! How can we do that?
Start by removing known distractions from your life. Those that take your eyes off of the goal the Lord has placed before you.
Remember, you are not the only one the enemy is trying to distract. He will literally sidetrack others in order to collide you off the road! Don’t let your mind wander aimlessly. Stay alert! Be on guard.
Our goal that evening was to pray for others. Obviously, something was trying to force us from that goal. But our God is mightier, stronger! His plans will not be diverted.
Scripture
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances for; this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life–your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life — and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.” Romans 12:1 (The Message)