It is both a glitch and a feature of our design as humans – the ability to focus on one thing to the exclusion of other things that are in plain sight around it. Magicians, pick-pockets, seducers and politicians all capitalize on this to distract long enough for them to do something in plain sight without the awareness of their victim. If attention can be given to something that catches the eye or seems to be of great importance in the moment, something else of possibly much greater value can be quickly, easily, and unknowingly altered. I fell prey to this when travelling with my brother in Lisbon several years ago. My passport, Eurail pass, and travellers checks had all been placed where I thought they would be safe - in a container in the front pocket of my jeans. All the rest of my belongings were in a backpack that was strapped to my back. We had spent a couple days seeing the sites and thought we were headed out to our next destination as we boarded the subway. It must have been the rush hour as the train was very packed with standing room only. There was barely enough room for us as we boarded just before the doors were about to close. With a bit of shoving that seemed to be natural with so many people, I was knocked off balance and immediately became concerned about falling onto the people behind me. Just then the doors closed, I recovered, and we proceeded to the next stop. It wasn’t till we reached the next terminal that I realized I was no longer in possession of my essential items. While distracted by a sense of falling and concern for those around me, I was unaware of losing something of much greater importance. This is actually taking place on a very large scale to the people of our nation and even the world as a whole. While being knocked off balance by the distractions of concerns that are real, but affect a very miniscule portion of the populace, we are experiencing the removal of very essential freedoms and liberties that will threaten all of us in ways that will not be realized until the next terminal stop when it is too late to recover them. Distractions are inevitable and come with potentially devastating consequences. They are consistently utilized by our adversary to occupy us with worries, cares, and passions of this temporary life while taking from us the treasures of eternal significance. The ability to focus on one thing, though, can also be used as a defense against unwary losses. By the Spirit we’ve been given a means of walking in the Light, where awareness of the Father’s presence excludes the significance of any other. Where we might have been vulnerable to a diversion’s fall, remaining fixated on a relationship with Jesus will maintain standing through many potential distractions and their falls. As our greatest Treasure is given the highest honor and focus, nothing will separate us from what we have in Him. Notes Lost keys Crash at intersection Loss of family/marriage Giving up of freedom With the illusion of having wisdom to prevent the inevitable, the preservation of what remains is completely compromised. Pocket picked Loss of identity David on the rooftop Moses at the rock Judas at the table Distractions devalue life to that of a meal Hebrews 12:15-17 (NLT) 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears. Distractions make unaware of real dangers Luke 21:34-36 (NLT) 34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” Distractions inevitable – How to not follow them? Keep eyes on the road Deuteronomy 28:14 (NLT) 14 You must not turn away from any of the commands I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship them. Through distracting threats – moved only by kingdom purpose Acts 20:24 (NKJV) 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Devalue/disregard distractions to pursue the kingdom as priority Matthew 6:33 (TPT) 33 “So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. Remaining infatuated with what is yours eliminates distractions Proverbs 5:18-23 (HCSB) 18 Let your fountain be blessed, and take pleasure in the wife of your youth. 19 A loving doe, a graceful fawn— let her breasts always satisfy you; be lost in her love forever. 20 Why, my son, would you be infatuated with a forbidden woman or embrace the breast of a stranger? 21 For a man's ways are before the LORD's eyes, and He considers all his paths. 22 A wicked man's iniquities entrap him; he is entangled in the ropes of his own sin. 23 He will die because there is no discipline, and be lost because of his great stupidity. Rather than avoiding distractions – increase fixed attention on eternal Psalms 27:4 (TPT) 4 Here’s the one thing I crave from God, the one thing I seek above all else: I want the privilege of living with him every moment in his house, finding the sweet loveliness of his face, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace. I want to live my life so close to him that he takes pleasure in my every prayer. Key to preserving the eternal – continually setting the heart. 1 John 2:15-17 (TPT) 15 Don’t set the affections of your heart on this world or in loving the things of the world. The love of the Father and the love of the world are incompatible. 16 For all that the world can offer us—the gratification of our flesh, the allurement of the things of the world, and the obsession with status and importance—none of these things come from the Father but from the world. 17 This world and its desires are in the process of passing away, but those who love to do the will of God live forever. Overview: Distractions divert attention from eternal to temporal. With familiarity and strife comes devalued heritage. Distractions overcome by focused treasuring of the eternal. Setting affections on the Lord keeps the heart from deadly distractions. Prayer: “Father, what I have received from you as a free gift is worth so much more than anything this world can ever give me. I am so very grateful for this treasured life that is mine in Christ. Flood my heart with ever increasing awareness of just how valuable this is to the point of complete disregard of any distractions that would divert my attention from Your purpose for my life. You mean so much more to me than any of these things. I desire Your presence more than anything else.“ Action: Intentionally take a few moments at waking in the morning and just before sleep at night to set the heart to affectionately value the incredible treasure of life in God’s presence. Expand expressions of appreciation beyond religious repetitions to actual personal thoughts of how precious the Lord has/is/will be in your life. Consciously develop a disdain and despising of anything that might distract or dissuade from fully valuing and following the Father’s heart for your life. Declaration: I have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus and have a relationship with Him that is so much more valuable than anything in this world. My love and passion for my Father is increasing moment by moment and removing the power of any distractions to displace Him as my heart’s treasure. As I set the affection of my heart on what is eternal in Christ, I am confident that everything else I might need in life is provided for me in abundance.