Yet But A Distraction…

This is another piece written over 10 to 15 years ago. It was first published in a pamphlet of devotionals from various people I and a friend pulled together called Encouraging Words. When pulling together my book, I Give You Jesus, The Greatest Gift, it became a part of the chapter entitled, “The Gift of Dealing with the Everyday Grind.” I place on my blog because it still ministers to me. It ministered to me today like I wasn’t the one who wrote it. May you be now blessed too...

By Daphne Evans

I don’t know about you but – I know God has a purpose and a plan for my life.

Lately I’ve noticed though, there have been distractions.  There have been family distractions, major health distractions that have thrown me for a loop, and irritating people who tend to “jump on my last nerve” distractions.  They exist.  We all have them – things that take our minds off of what it is we’re supposed to be concentrating about, focusing on or going toward…

I have caught myself concentrating on distractions instead of what God says.  Funny we do that, because we know and have been taught since lil’ babes that God’s Word can form earth and sea, create light and dark, move mountains and make wet land dry…  So, why can’t the Word speak to my disturbing distractions?  Why can’t His Word help me to see beyond the distraction to see and concentrate on Him and what He wants done or even what He’s doing? 

The bible gives several clear examples of people with distractions and how they triumphed over them.  There’s Paul who even with his thorn in his side ministered to the Gentiles and wrote tons of books in the New Testament.  There’s David, “the apple of God’s eye” who was distracted on numerous times – by enemies, by Giants, by lions and by Bathsheba.   Then there’s the popular story of Mary and Martha who had the very bodily presence of God right with them and Martha had to run around instead of doing what God honored the most – just sitting at His feet and taking in every Word He said. 

Even Jesus could have been distracted – by the Pharisees, by the crowds, by even his own family.  He was not.  He dealt with them and swiftly went back and focused on the purpose and plan for which He was sent on earth.   He also gave us the example of “stealing” away to pray and talk to God to refresh and refocus, especially after ministering to many.

I urge each of you to join me in saying or even shouting if you need to – “This is yet but a distraction!”  (Where two or three are gathered together there’s power!! Smile – even through email)  Let me give my real life examples –

See, I’m in process of leading a large project at work uniting nine child care centers to create three play spaces in a homeless shelter for families and children!

My health issues are – “yet but a distraction!” (Are you saying it with me?)

I’m in prayer about what direction to take our Christian Education and Fellowship Ministry and more specifically our Sunday School at church!

Those folks that irritate me at work and in the neighborhood are – “yet but a distraction!”  (yeah, you’ve got it now! J) 

I’m currently seeking God for how to personally respond to current family issues…

And then someone in my family or someone around my family does something incredibly foolish.  At that particular moment they are “yet but a distraction!”  They are there to attempt to discourage me from believing, speaking and walking in the Victory that God has proclaimed!

We all have them.  They are the reality we look at or the situation we deal with every day in faith.  Sometimes those distractions are a part of the growth process in order to get to or through to the larger goal.   If you need to unite with me in prayer about yours, email and I’ll pray with and for yours too…

Remember though, they are “yet but distractions” that can be overcome so that you can come into the fullness of God’s purpose and plan for your life!  What is needed?  We need to pray, study and renew the mind constantly!  Bring all thoughts under subjection and then begin to go forward with what God has placed within your heart…