Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Focused Distractions
This morning as Mike was trying to get out the door for work, he remembered he needed to bring his desk calculator to the job site in order to make the task ahead a little easier. As he was also suffering from swimmer’s ear, I asked him if he wanted me to put the drops in for him. He gladly handed me the bottle, laid his head on the table and turned his ear up for me to drop the liquid in. He picked up his head, picked up the medicine bottle, picked up the small bag of cotton balls I’d given him, kissed me goodbye, and left.
As I settled down into my chair for my bible study time, I was heavy hearted at how distracted I’d been from preparing, praying and focusing on what God wants me to prepare and bring to the “She Speaks” conference next month. Life has been so topsy-turvy lately, and although I’ve continued to read my bible, go to church, and pray (sort of), my nearness to God has suffered. I’ve sensed a “distance” between us that is uncomfortable to say the least, and certainly of my own doing. I was trying to focus on what I was reading when my cell phone rang. It was my friend calling to set a time for us to get together for a planning session on our upcoming Youth Camp. As soon as I said “hello” to her, the house phone rang. The caller id said it was Mike, so I answered it on my other ear with the words “hold on a minute” spoken into both receivers. Mike didn’t hold on, and went on to tell me he’d left the calculator on the table and “see how easily distracted from his purpose he was?” I agreed, told him I had another call in my ear, and I’d talk to him later. He asked who it was, and I said “Kathy. Bye,” and hung up. As I hung up, I laughingly said ”Nosey” and went back to my call with Kathy. We scheduled a time to get together in the evening and I finally got back to my study time.
It was then that God began to show me that my focus on the “calling” He has placed on my heart is like the scenario which had just taken place in so many ways.
1) Mike was distracted and no longer focused on that which would make his task easier. Yes, the distraction was an important one, but it took his focus away from the object of his need.
2) I was distracted from my object of need by phone calls and ministry planning. Yes, the planning and ministry was important, but it took time away from my Source and Purpose for ministry and that which would make my task easier.
3) When Mike called to point out how easily distractions take place, I cut him short and called him nosey. Yes, I was nice about it, laughed and smiled, but cut him off anyway.
1Ti 4:13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. (NLT)
Lord, help me to stay focused on You as the Object that will make my task easier, and on being obedient to the calling You have placed on my life.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
This morning as Mike was trying to get out the door for work, he remembered he needed to bring his desk calculator to the job site in order to make the task ahead a little easier. As he was also suffering from swimmer’s ear, I asked him if he wanted me to put the drops in for him. He gladly handed me the bottle, laid his head on the table and turned his ear up for me to drop the liquid in. He picked up his head, picked up the medicine bottle, picked up the small bag of cotton balls I’d given him, kissed me goodbye, and left.
As I settled down into my chair for my bible study time, I was heavy hearted at how distracted I’d been from preparing, praying and focusing on what God wants me to prepare and bring to the “She Speaks” conference next month. Life has been so topsy-turvy lately, and although I’ve continued to read my bible, go to church, and pray (sort of), my nearness to God has suffered. I’ve sensed a “distance” between us that is uncomfortable to say the least, and certainly of my own doing. I was trying to focus on what I was reading when my cell phone rang. It was my friend calling to set a time for us to get together for a planning session on our upcoming Youth Camp. As soon as I said “hello” to her, the house phone rang. The caller id said it was Mike, so I answered it on my other ear with the words “hold on a minute” spoken into both receivers. Mike didn’t hold on, and went on to tell me he’d left the calculator on the table and “see how easily distracted from his purpose he was?” I agreed, told him I had another call in my ear, and I’d talk to him later. He asked who it was, and I said “Kathy. Bye,” and hung up. As I hung up, I laughingly said ”Nosey” and went back to my call with Kathy. We scheduled a time to get together in the evening and I finally got back to my study time.
It was then that God began to show me that my focus on the “calling” He has placed on my heart is like the scenario which had just taken place in so many ways.
1) Mike was distracted and no longer focused on that which would make his task easier. Yes, the distraction was an important one, but it took his focus away from the object of his need.
2) I was distracted from my object of need by phone calls and ministry planning. Yes, the planning and ministry was important, but it took time away from my Source and Purpose for ministry and that which would make my task easier.
3) When Mike called to point out how easily distractions take place, I cut him short and called him nosey. Yes, I was nice about it, laughed and smiled, but cut him off anyway.
1Ti 4:13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. (NLT)
Lord, help me to stay focused on You as the Object that will make my task easier, and on being obedient to the calling You have placed on my life.
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