If you ever have a conversation with me, it won’t take long to realize I’m ready to start eternity with Jesus right now. I was ready last year. In fact, I think I’ve been ready for a few decades now. This world holds no allure for me. Before you get the wrong impression of me being someone who has it all together and never struggles with selfishness or pride, let me assure you nothing would be further from the truth.
I more want to make the point even someone like myself – who has no use for the things of this world – is no less prone to its distractions. I really hate that about myself. Perhaps you can relate.
Our days on this earth are so few, our existence just a breath along the great timeline of history. Not only are our days few in number, but they are filled with evil, sorrow, and trials. They are also inundated with distractions. Our sin keeps us bound up in wrong passions, unnecessary fears, and pointless worry. We are entangled and consumed with our own pride and vanity, weighed down by temptation, worn out trying to be or become someone we aren’t, and exhausted by both pleasure and poverty. No wonder people like me are so ready to take our exit from this stage. Compared to Jesus, this world is an absolute worthless waste of space.
The only cure for our struggles is to keep our focus on Christ. Ah, but then those distractions come hurtling our way. We desperately want to seek after things of Heaven, but instead give in to the useless and temporary distractions of this world. In my heart, I have risen above these things. I love Jesus with all I am; at least that’s the story I tell myself until the distractions take over.
The Apostle Paul said the things he wanted to do, he didn’t, and the things he didn’t want to do, those are the things he ended up doing (Romans 7:15). Distractions have been around a long time. They are the weapon of choice for Satan. Distractions are both insidious and lethal. The devil knows he can’t win, so is content to settle for bringing you down with him. Jesus said the things we treasure show what and who we really love (Matthew 6:21). When we give in to distractions, when we take our eyes off Jesus, we are saying we’d rather have the things of this world than Him.
Distractions can be defeated. We need simply to keep our eyes on God. We need only walk in His footsteps and follow His voice. If we love God, we will keep our thoughts on spiritual things. We will seek His face and kick out any thoughts of our self and selfish desires. Whatever we truly love, those are the things we will talk about; those are the voices to which we will listen. We bear the image of what we love. Who do people see when they look at you? No more distractions. Stay focused. Settle for nothing less than complete devotion.