Distractions, Distractions, Distractions

Luke 10:38-42 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Have you ever been distracted?  We all have.  Being distracted is a constant in our lives.  If we cannot stay on task and focus, we can be diagnosed with some kind of attention deficit disorder.  That means being distracted is serious business.  

The world you and I live in is clamoring for our attention 24/7.  The email chimes, the phone rings, an ad on a website flashes,  there is a knock at the door, a friend drops by, an unscheduled delivery needs your attention, your phone vibrates, a text message dings.  It is estimated that you see 5,000 ads a day.  I believe it.  In 2010 a study was done that estimates the US economies losses from distractions to be around $997 billion a year.  

Mary and Martha were hosting a Bible study at their house.  The teacher?  Jesus.  So this is a critical Bible study.  Mary attends the Bible study, but Martha is in the back making snacks for everyone.  She goes to Jesus and asks him to tell her sister to get in the kitchen, now!  Jesus tells Martha, your sister did the right thing by attending the Bible study.  Ouch!  

Distractions tempt you to stop doing what God created you to do.  God created you to worship, pray and grow in a relationship with Him.  He created you to serve in some capacity in His Kingdom.  

What is the one thing Satan and hell don't want you to do?  

Everything mentioned above.  So how are they going to stop you?  You've got it - distractions.  

How do you stop being distracted? 

Answer this question when you are tempted with a distraction.  If I say YES to this, what am I saying NO to?  Everything you say yes to something you are saying no to something else.  If that no is something that is a priority, a calling, a goal in life?  Then say NO to the distraction and YES to what God has called you to do. 

Practice, Practice, Practice - it isn't easy.  You will try and fail.  Get up and do it again.  Eventually, you'll get it. 

Understand procrastination.  Procrastion and distraction are cousins.  It usually works like this.  I can do this now, and I'll do what I am supposed to be doing later.  These two can be a dynamic duo that can wreak havoc.  

PRAY:  Dear Jesus, help me to say no to temptation and yes to Your will.  AMEN