What to Do When You are Distracted

Pages flipped behind me as I tried to listen to the preacher.

Flip. Flip. Flip.

It was rhythmic. My concentration paused as I waited for it to stop. A second of silence and then –

flip, flip, flip.

I glanced at the middle schoolers behind me willing them to give it a rest.

Bibles have the loudest pages, I thought and began to wonder about how the people at Tyndale and Zondervan dipped the edges of the pages in gold and silver. Who even published my Bible? I turned to the front pages to find out. Tyndale and Zondervan. I never knew two publishers worked together to publish something. That’s interesting.

I studied the gold edged pages again, the preacher’s message light years away. They should make one of those “How it’s Made” shows on Bibles. Maybe they already have and I missed it. I can never remember what channel it comes on. I should have Alan start recording those shows. They are always so interesting, and the kids love them, too. Then we could watch something with the kids besides the Disney Channel. They just don’t make quality family programming anymore…

With one small distraction, my focus was gone. That tiny interruption in my concentration opened the door for me to chase rabbits down my railroad track of thoughts.

I turned my eyes and ears towards our pastor again settling into his words, until I felt a small bump on the back of my seat. Two minutes passed and my chair moved again. Each time I’d glance back, the boys behind me were still. But just as I would begin to soak in God’s words for me that day, I’d feel something pressing at my back.

It annoyed me so much, I had to lean forward and sit on the edge of my seat. And that’s when I understood.

There are tons of distractions in this world. Tons. So in order to stay focused on God and His plan for my life, I have to lean into Him. I must sit on the edge of my seat, ready to spring into action. I’ve got to keep my eyes and ears on Him at all times, or I’ll be prone to focus on the flipping and the pushing.

You see, all satan needs is one good distraction, and we’ll jump that train of thoughts and ride it to the end of the line. We’ll get off not knowing where we are or how we got there.

Do you hear the flipping of pages behind you? Is someone pushing on the back of your seat?

Lean in.

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. Psalm 119:15 ESV