What are distractions?
Distractions are those things that cause us to lose focus of the goal.
Spiritually speaking, distractions are those things that pull Christ followers away from doing the work of reconciliation that every believer is called to do.
God's priority is the Kingdom. I challenge you to study every place Jesus spoke of the Kingdom... You will find that when Jesus spoke of the Kingdom, He was speaking of people. The Kingdom is all about people.
Why? Because...
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. [John 3.16 NKJV]
And, because the world is God's priority, it was Jesus' priority. Should we wonder what OUR priority is then? I think not.
So, what are distractions? They can be almost anything... say, like 'critical' elections. Or, how about a 'pandemic?' What about social unrest?
But aren't we praying this 40 Days of Prayer specifically for the 2020 US General Elections? How can we call that a distraction?
Interestingly enough, today I read about Jesus and His men crossing a lake and encountering a "storm" (Mark 4.35-41). The lesson of the story was not that Jesus spoke to the storm (which was indeed noteworthy!), but that the disciples did not recognize the distraction and simply speak to the storm themselves!
Not all distractions are sparkly and mesmerizing. Some are just downright threatening and deadly. Our response reveals our focus. You see, the disciples had, for the moment, lost their focus and consequently got a scolding from Jesus in return, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
In the midst of the 2020 US General Elections and a pandemic of medical and social proportion, our mission, as followers of Christ is not the least bit changed. We, like our Jesus, like His (and our) Father, must understand that the world is lost and needs to be saved.
God "...wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth" (from 1 Timothy 2.4).
We are instructed by Paul that in order for everyone to be saved and understand the truth, we must pray reconciliatory prayer for them. Paul instructed this in 1 Timothy 2.1-4 because He recognized that Jesus demonstrated it.
Faith speaks to the storms - the distractions - because there is greater work to be done. In the midst of the "storm" of the 2020 US General Elections, there are people who desperately need to be saved and understand the truth!
2 comments:
Amen brother, I so feel ya right now in regards to distractions. I feel myself trying to get distracted from my daily goals, especially in regards to my walk with God, my tasks he’s later in front of me. I most always prevail but I hit a wall today for a bit until we finally pulled through it, and it wasn’t for continued trying and continual prayer to pull past the distractions and frustrations. Brother Greg you are so love and appreciated for all you do in my life and I know in countless others. I am so moved and inspired by your devotion and discipline to prayer and study of the Word. My God continue to bless all you do. I know he’s blessed me by just having your presence in my life. Iron sharpens Iron brother and I’m glad to have your sword next to mine. I live ya brother keep it up and thanks for all you do.
I agree wholeheartedly! We love you, Brother Greg. Anytime you post a comment, it is always a word fitly spoken in due season. I appreciate the Godly prayer leader you are and for keeping us focused on God’s heart and precise targeted prayer for the 2020 General Elections.
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