Distractions

Satan is in the distractions of life, I'm sure of it.  What better way to keep unbelievers from seeking God and God's people from fellowship in His Word and through prayer?

Is there anyone who is not busy today? We can't even "just drive" anymore; we have to be talking, eating, texting (don't do it!), listening to the radio, programming the GPS, and a dozen other things. Everyone we know seems stressed with errands, events and expectations.  Our to-do lists get longer and longer.  Where does God and His will fit in?  Not trying to give you guilt here, just asking a question.  By the way, I ask it to myself too!

Andy and I and our kids really try to live a simple life.  No kidding.  We were "scaled down" before it was cool to be. We don't even have ATM pin numbers to memorize, since we trashed them long ago. We're not involved in a myriad of clubs, organizations or outside interests. We are into our family and our church, basically.  We haven't had cable tv in years ; we got tired of the 200+ channels of nothing! Our home is pretty free of useless gadgets and time-wasters. You see, I married a clutter-control freak. That's a good thing.  Ever see the shows on hoarders? They will scare you straight!  Just the thought of 16 cats in the house and the stacks of junk piled high sends me running for the hefty bags and the phone number for AMVETS!  

But, even with our simple lives, it is a real challenge to make time for prayer, Bible reading/studying, and service to the Lord. When's the last time I sat down with my Bible and gave a whole hour to just read? I mean in quiet, with no background music, kids arguing or tv on? When is the last time I really witnessed to someone about their need for the Saviour?  And when is the last time I took time to just talk with my Heavenly Father? OK, now I've quit preachin' and gone to meddlin', I know.

We have been attending a prayer meeting every Tuesday at our church for two years now. It's fantastic. It forces us out of ourselves and into thinking of others. It makes us grateful for the petty problems we have in our own lives, versus the sometimes life-and-death serious stuff on the prayer list. It connects us with the Lord in ways I'm not sure anything else would. But, I'm not bragging. I only say that to say this: that honestly, when we have to miss one once in a while, sometimes that's the only praying I would have done that week.  Shame on me.  But the weekly meeting forces us to make time to pray.

So, even without most of the distractions that we see around us, it is easy to put off the most important things in our life: the stuff that brings us closer with our Creator and His will and His kingdom.

I used to work for a great guy named Duane. Duane hated interruptions at work and he called them "interrupts," (with the emphasis on the "in," and I can still hear him saying it!) I never heard anyone say that before, but ever since I worked for Duane all those years ago, I sometimes use his term.  I get tired of all the interrupts.  Between scheduled events, daily minutae, and unplanned "interrupts," it is hard to find time to do anything else.

Lord, help me MAKE the time for you, kick the unimportant to the curb, and remember what my priorities should be.  Help me to say NO to the lesser to make room for the greater.  Remind me that "Only one life, will soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last."  And thank you to my Mom (now in heaven) for always quoting that.