Distractions

Texting while driving has proven to be dangerous. Because it is so distracting, it has been banned in almost every state. Every time our phone rings, pings, vibrates, or receives a notification and we pick it up, we are being conditioned to respond to distractions. The art of being quiet and still is being lost. (Some call it "boredom.")
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When Jesus visited the home of Lazarus, Martha was greatly distracted by "much serving," but her sister Mary "sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word" (Luke 10:39-40). Mary was quiet and still while Martha was "cumbered about" (being dragged in different directions).

Paul wrote of the importance of not allowing things in this life to distract from serving the Lord. It has been said, "If the enemy cannot destroy you, he will distract you." Consider: what do you find distracting during your time of personal devotions? Do you find yourself continually checking your phone for a text or to see if you have a notification?

What distracts you during the worship service? Are you prevented from sitting at the feet of Jesus and hearing His words by your phone or by thoughts of "much serving" (what needs to be taken care of after the service)? Martha tried to distract her sister from hearing the words of Jesus. Do you allow people to prevent you from hearing God's words? Is texting or talking during the worship service a distraction?

Our ATTENTION is a valuable resource! The enemy will use whatever he can (phones, worldly cares, people) to distract our attention from what is most important. Hebrews 12:2 in the Amplified Bible gives this good advice: "Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus." By ignoring all that tries to distract, we are choosing the "one thing [that] is needful," that which Jesus promised "shall not be taken away" (Luke 10:42).

When the enemy sends distractions, they never look like distractions until they are finished distracting you.
—Unknown