Block Out the Distraction
Verses Used:
Hebrews 12:1–2
Luke 10:38–42
Matthew 6:33
Hebrews 10:24–25
1 Peter 5:8
James 4:7–8
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Devotional:
Distraction Doesn't Always Look Dangerous
I want to talk about distractions today because they are everywhere.
And the dangerous thing about distraction is that it isn't always sin.
Sometimes it is just something else taking our attention away from what matters most.
Life gets busy. I fully understand that. I have never been diagnosed, but I am pretty sure I have ADHD because I can start heading toward one thing, notice three other things along the way, and somehow Plan A for today becomes Plan A for tomorrow. LOL.
But if we're being real, sometimes distraction isn't because we're busy.
Sometimes we're avoiding something we don't want to do.
I am as guilty of that as the next person.
Doing the things we want to do is fun. It's easy. But that difficult thing sitting on the list? Somehow it keeps getting pushed farther and farther down.
My pastor said something simple that stuck with me:
“Get the hard stuff done first.”
I like that.
Get the hard thing done, and then you have the rest of the day for the easier stuff.
But there is another kind of distraction we need to recognize too: spiritual distraction.
Hebrews 12:1–2 tells us to get rid of what weighs us down and to keep our eyes on Jesus.
Notice that not everything slowing us down has to be some huge, obvious sin.
Sometimes it's simply a weight.
And something can be perfectly innocent while still becoming a distraction if it continually takes your attention away from Jesus.
When Good Things Take First Place
Luke 10 gives us the story of Martha and Mary.
Martha was busy serving.
Serving wasn't bad!
The problem was that Martha became so distracted by everything she was doing that she missed what Mary understood: Jesus was right there.
Mary sat at His feet.
Martha was doing things for Jesus while becoming distracted from Jesus.
Oof.
That'll preach to me before it preaches to anybody else.
Because how often do we do the same thing?
We can get busy with work, family, hobbies, errands, entertainment, responsibilities, social media, plans, and even ministry—and suddenly Jesus gets whatever little piece of our attention is left over.
Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek the Kingdom of God above everything else.
Not somewhere on the list.
First.
And yes, I believe the enemy loves distraction.
First Peter 5:8 tells us to stay alert because our enemy is looking for an opportunity to attack. James 4:7–8 tells us to resist the devil and draw near to God.
Sometimes the enemy may tempt us toward obvious sin.
Other times, distraction can accomplish plenty.
Because if he can't get you to abandon Jesus, he'd certainly be happy to keep you too distracted to spend time with Him.
But we also have to be careful not to blame the devil for every notification, busy schedule, or bad decision we make.
Sometimes we simply need discipline.
Sometimes we need to put the phone down.
Sometimes we need to say no.
Sometimes we need to rearrange our priorities.
And sometimes we need to admit, “I allowed this to become more important than my time with God.”
Protect Your Time With Jesus
Think about how often distraction shows up during your time with God.
You're praying...
Then suddenly you're thinking about what you need from the grocery store.
You're reading your Bible...
Your phone buzzes.
You're watching a sermon...
And somehow you're checking something completely unrelated five minutes later.
For me, this is one of the hardest parts.
Even while writing devotionals sometimes my mind is going everywhere.
That's why sometimes we have to intentionally block out the distraction.
Mute the phone.
Close the extra tabs.
Turn off the TV.
Find somewhere quiet.
Put the phone in another room if you have to.
Don't give everything else unlimited access to the time you've set apart for Jesus.
Hebrews 10:24–25 also reminds believers not to neglect gathering together.
Church matters.
Christian community matters.
Learning together matters.
Worshiping together matters.
Life will always offer something else you could be doing.
There will always be plans.
There will always be work.
There will always be another notification.
There will always be something competing for your attention.
That's why we have to make Jesus our priority intentionally.
Take Jesus Into Everything
And this isn't only about church or Bible-reading time.
Invite God into your entire day.
First Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to never stop praying.
That doesn't mean you're walking through Walmart with your eyes closed praying out loud the entire time. Please watch where you're pushing the cart. 😂
It means staying connected to God throughout your day.
Going to the store?
Pray:
“Holy Spirit, guide me today. Show me who I can help. Show me who needs encouragement. Show me who I can pray for. Guide my steps and help me represent Jesus well.”
Going to work?
Invite Him in.
Making a difficult decision?
Pray first.
Having a hard conversation?
Pray first.
Starting your morning?
Pray first.
Before responding when somebody makes you mad?
Definitely pray first.
Keep bringing your attention back to Jesus.
What would Jesus do?
What would He say?
How would He respond?
How can I represent Him in this situation?
I have to remind myself of these things too because distraction is easy.
But Jesus is worth our attention.
So today, whatever is competing for your focus, ask yourself:
Is this helping me follow Jesus, or is it quietly pulling my attention away from Him?
Get rid of the unnecessary weight.
Turn down the noise.
Protect your time with God.
Pray often.
Invite the Holy Spirit into everything.
And above all:
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
I love you all. God loves you all.
Have an amazing day!
Prayer:
Father, thank You for always being near, even when my mind and attention are going in a hundred different directions.
Help me recognize the things distracting me from You. Give me discipline to put down what needs to be put down, say no when I need to say no, and keep You first in my life.
When my mind wanders, bring my attention back to You.
Help me protect my time with You and not give everything else priority over Your presence. Holy Spirit, guide my steps today. Show me who I can encourage, help, pray for, or simply show kindness to.
Give me wisdom to recognize temptation, strength to resist the enemy, and humility to recognize when the problem is simply my own priorities.
Through everything I do today, help me keep my eyes on Jesus.
In Jesus' name, amen.
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