NOVEMBER 21, 2014
Dealing
With Distractions
Read: Matthew
13:14-22
The cares of this world . . . choke the word. —Matthew 13:22
A restaurant owner in
the village of Abu Ghosh, just outside Jerusalem, offered a 50-percent discount
for patrons who turned off their cell phones. Jawdat Ibrahim believes that
smartphones have shifted the focus of meals from companionship and conversation
to surfing, texting, and business calls. “Technology is very good,” Ibrahim
says. “But . . . when you are with your family and your friends, you can just
wait for half an hour and enjoy the food and enjoy the company.”
How easily we can be
distracted by many things, whether in our relationship with others or with the
Lord.
Jesus told His
followers that spiritual distraction begins with hearts that have grown dull,
ears that are hard of hearing, and eyes that are closed (Matt. 13:15). Using
the illustration of a farmer scattering seed, Jesus compared the seed that fell
among thorns to a person who hears God’s Word but whose heart is focused on
other things. “The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke
the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (v.22).
There is great value
in having times throughout each day when we turn off the distractions of mind
and heart and focus on the Lord.
O Lord, help me to turn off all the
distractions around me and focus on You.
May my heart be good soil for the
seed of Your Word today.
Focusing
on Christ puts everything else in perspective.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
