Distractions

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a distraction as:

: something that makes it difficult to think or pay   attention

: something that amuses or entertains you so that   you do not think about   problems, work, etc.

: a state in which you are very annoyed or upset

The Lord talked to me about distractions many years ago. We may tend to think of a distraction as a minor thing. But what if we spend our entire life...distracted; distracted from the things of God.

God has set before us a 'things-to-do' list.  Each one of us has a calling on our lives to fulfill.  We each have a role to fill in this war against evil.  

I read a wonderful revelation recently in "The Dancing Hand of God."  I've loaned the book to another one of my prayer partners so I'm going to have to paraphrase.

There is no 'time' with God. God is omnipresent and is not confined to 'time.'  He knows the end of the story and lives in that place even while He's bringing things to that end.  He knows the end of the story even as He is setting things in motion in our lives to bring us to His victory. Our gifts and callings are without repentance and our place in the story is set. God will not change this.  He knew our place in His-story even before He created us. He has created us to fill that place in His-story.

The enemy wants to keep us distracted.  He doesn't want us to pay attention to the important things in life.  He wants to keep us entertained and not let us focus on the important things - the things of God. And the saddest thing is that we can spend our entire lives being distracted.

We are about half way through our 40 day Word fast.  The amazing thing to me is that I did this 40 day Word fast almost 30 years ago  - to the day!  The sad thing to me is...I have wanted to do it again for 30 years...and didn't.

Because it's too hard to turn the television off.

My parents both worked full time when I was a child.  I was raised by babysitters who put me in front of a TV. When I was twelve years old, I refused to go to the babysitter anymore.  I came home alone every day after school. And watched TV.  

The Lord brought to mind yesterday a tree that grows around a pole. It becomes almost impossible to separate the tree from the pole. The only way would be to cut the tree down and hope the roots are strong enough for the tree to grow again.

I was ashamed to confess this weakness to others and I've found that the more I did, the more I found out that others live this way too.

Something in me began to cry out to God. I began to realize that I did not want to die and not fulfill what God has called me to do. And I am getting older and time is running out. And I am living my life distracted.

I called Monday and turned off our cable. We no longer have television in our home. My husband has been fully supportive of this change. We moved the TV out of our bedroom - it's no longer attached to anything. Our TV in our family room will still have Netflix.

And here's the honest truth:

I have these moments of utter joy and such freedom - like I've broken loose of something that has held me down my whole life.  I can see the wonderful light at the end of the tunnel and know I'm on the right track.

And then I have these moments of darkness - thoughts of endless evenings that stretch ahead of me with no entertainment.  Endless days of a silent house while I'm home alone.   

I never knew my house could be so quiet.  The quiet is almost heavy.

And I am sleeping like a baby at night.  My mind is so quiet and peaceful and it's so easy to connect with God the moment I wake up in the morning.  And I lie down at night in the quiet and talk to God.

  

The thoughts that are running through my mind are not replays of the last show I watched but instead I hear worship songs and scripture and most precious of all, God's voice.

When I have the bad moments, I remember the 30 years I couldn't do this.  I remember how a distraction can have such a hold on you that you can waste your whole life.  And I declare to God that I will learn to live the way He wants me to live.  I will learn to be a tree without that pole.  

love and blessings~