Distracted

ALL – Psalm 17:1-15
ALL – Proverbs 3:33-35
OT – Genesis 39:1-41:16
NT – Matthew 12:46-13:23

How long do our eyes need to be off the road ahead for us to have an accident? How much of a distraction can a runner afford in his focus without losing the race? How many mouse-clicks on favorite sites does it take to eat up a quarter of an hour’s premium work time? Is distraction really that big of a deal?

It most certainly is.

A moment’s distraction can cost us an hour’s work, the win of a racing career, and even the life of a loved one. If a moment’s distraction can cost us so dearly, what could a lifetime of distraction cost us, especially a lifetime of being distracted from God’s aim for our lives?

In Jesus’ famous parable of the sower, he had some warnings for us about being distracted from the good news of His Kingdom:

The ground covered with thistles represents a man who hears the message, but the cares of this life and his longing for money choke out God’s Word, and he does less and less for God. – Matthew 13:22, The Living Bible

The NIV puts it this way: “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.”

What a waste! Jesus came to invite us into an eternal, glorious Kingdom with an eternal, glorious King. But we can get so distracted by the cares of a temporary, cursed, fading world and by fleeting opportunities for fleeting wealth that our lives end up being unfruitful, wasted, in vain. And Jesus warned us about unfruitfulness: “The ax is already at the fruit of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:10, NIV).

Distraction is deadly. Don’t be deceived. It truly matters what you focus your mind and energies on. Let’s focus on Jesus Christ and following Him.

What distractions tempt you the most? What has Jesus taught you that helps you ignore them?

To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.