When I sit down at a computer, I can become easily distracted by the internet. I may go to look up one thing, but find myself looking into something else altogether. On my homepage, news stories scroll through and inevitably, there will be one that I just have to read, thirty minutes later, I still haven’t started what I intended to. While the internet can be a fabulous tool for research, it can also be a distraction.
I suppose all electronics have the capability of being a liability, in that they steer us off course. One of the major threats on our roadways these days are drivers who text while driving. Most of us thought that the talking part was bad, but texting creates a whole new level of distraction and the results are sometimes deadly.
My daughter is drawn to the television. When it is on, she wants to watch. It doesn’t really matter what the show is about. My son would be one with his iPod Touch if it were possible. If he picks it up before he gets dressed in the mornings, his time simply disappears and he has no idea where it went.
There’s a very popular book series out called Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief. In it, three kids are in hot pursuit of Zeus’s lightning bolt. While they are on the run, they step into the Lotus Casino. It has every game and snack imaginable and they are free. They decide to rest a little while. Percy realizes something isn’t right and they decide to leave. The bellhop attempts to lure them back, but when they get outside, they realize they have lost five whole days and only have one left to their deadline.
I use this example because distractions can be dangerous to our spiritual health. If I pick up my Bible to read while the television is on, I get distracted. I can’t concentrate. I can read the same page a couple of times and still not get the meaning. The same thing happens if I try to have a conversation with my hubby with the television on. I can’t hear what he says if I’m listening to the t.v. My conversation with him should always trump my entertainment, but does it?
What about prayer? I’m a big believer in regular prayer. I can pray in the car or in the shower. But if I’m in the car and the radio is on, am I giving God my full attention? How can I expect my prayers to be answered if I ask half-heartedly, not really paying attention?
I think we need to be ever-mindful of this world’s distractions. Competition for our attention is at an all-time high. From an endless array of electronics to pressures at work and home, we are distracted from intentional living. We sort of plow through everyday, distracted by the latest Candy Crush game and pay less and less attention to our human relationships as well as our God relationship. This, I believe is the work of the enemy. There is one who wants us to be distracted, tired and unfulfilled. He wants us to just live our lives not to truly experience all of the joy that comes from true communion with each other and with God.
The only way to stop him is to live intentionally and be mindful of our choices and our distractions. We need to turn off the radio, t.v., iPad, etc.. when a person is talking and definitely find some silence when we want to pray. This isn’t easy in the noisy world that we live in, but I believe it is worth it. What about you? Feel free to comment.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂