Distractions by Jeff Wiles

Distractions, distractions.

I once let a girl borrow my camouflage jacket. Deer season had arrived, and the next morning as I prepared to enter the woods I realized how strongly her perfume had scented my jacket. Even though I suspected every deer within a mile could smell it, I wore it anyway. That perfume smelled so heavenly. I was just content to sit in the woods and bask in the aroma. I didn’t wash that jacket until the scent faded away—two weeks to be exact. But neither did I kill a deer during that time—which is actually the goal when you’re deer hunting. The perfume’s scent was a distraction that transformed me from a deer hunter into an ardent admirer of ladies’ perfume. I completely lost focus.

Sometimes, this happens to me as a Christian too, which I’m sure is why Jesus says, Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously (Matthew 6:33 NLT).

The devil loves to erect distractions because they make me lose focus. I lose concentration on my spiritual goals, which should be putting Christ first and witnessing for him (Matthew 28:19). But that crafty devil is adept at filling my life with distractions, because when I’m distracted I’m ineffective.

When Peter tried walking on the water to Jesus, his first steps were successful, but then he became distracted by the turbulence of the water, took his eyes off Jesus, and began to sink. The same fate awaits me when I allow distractions to interfere with my relationship with Jesus. Spiritual growth comes to a screeching halt.

Reflection: Be careful and keep your eyes upon Jesus. Realize what the devil is trying to use to distract you. Distractions become less powerful when our eyes are on Him.

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