It’s very easy in life to get distracted. We are seeing this all the time at the moment with our first grandchild who has just learned to crawl and who is desperate to learn to walk. She is, as a consequence, having to cope with falling down on a regular basis, and distraction is a major weapon in our armoury when that happens and the tears flow. Most of the time, it’s her pride which hurt and she is thus easily distracted by something else that is interesting, shiny and which will soon become her new goal. The tears of frustration cease and the journey to a new destination begins all over again – hundreds of times within an hour!
Distraction is not quite so useful as we get older, however, though it is just as prevalent. We are easily distracted from our pursuit of God. Trials come, and we focus on them, being knocked off course by hardship and suffering. Shiny, new pastimes pull at us, often not wrong in themselves, but how easily they distract us from prayer, worship and service. All around us, distractions tug at us, luring us from single-minded devotion to God. As I watch my granddaughter flit from one object to another, purposefully pursuing a goal only to stop en route because something else has grabbed her attention, I am reminded that I am not so very different.
Isaiah 26 contains many of the most wonderful verses in the whole Bible. It reminds us God provides salvation for us, likening this to a strong city, fortified by walls and ramparts. (Is 26:1) It promises God ‘will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.’ (Is 26:3) The key to this peace, however, established by God for us (Is 26:12), is steadfastness of mind. Trusting in God is not easy when there are so many distractions around, but God’s name and renown must be the desire of our hearts. (Is 26:8)
We cannot afford to be immature, allowing ourselves to be distracted by either trial or triumph, not to mention the trivial. We have to walk in the ways of God’s laws and wait for Him, yearning for Him in the night and longing for Him in the morning. (Is 26:8-9) The world holds many distractions and much allure, but we are urged to keep ourselves from idols. (1 Jn 5:21) As I get older, I often walk into a room and wonder why I have gone there, forgetting the reason for my trip! We must not be like this in our walk with God, but need to press on with perseverance, fixing our eyes on Jesus and defeating weariness and lack of confidence as we persist through all distractions. (Heb 12:1-3)