Distractions

“When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates—Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: ‘Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.’

But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: ‘I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?’  Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.” (Nehemiah 6:1-4 NIV)

My wife and I listened to a news piece this week about the development of smartphones.  According to one of the developers, the phone most of us carry around with us was intentionally designed to keep our eyes engaged with the screen.  Because all of the apps are advertising-driven, designers focused on keeping users engaged.  So the phone buzzes or dings when there is a message, or a bright red number appears to indicate how many notifications we’ve received.  Think about it: these devices were created intentionally to distract us, to draw us from one thing—a conversation, a book, a time of reflection, or responsibilities to which we are committed to fulfill—to a device that holds great financial potential to a select number of companies!  Yes, there may be some benefit that comes along with our devices, but the main goal is not to serve us, but for us to serve them.  

Nehemiah found himself in a similar situation.  He had committed to the responsibility of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, but there were parties that had another agenda, so they sought to distract him.  They wanted his focus elsewhere so as to achieve their goal.  But Nehemiah was resolute.  “‘I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”  He successfully dealt with the distraction by knowing what his priority was and being committed to keeping it before him.

I think we would do well to apply Nehemiah’s strategy in dealing with our world of distractions.  Ask yourself this question: What are the priorities of your life?  If you are a follower of Jesus, let me suggest a few.  Spending uninterrupted time with God reading His Word and praying.  Loving others by giving them your sole attention in conversations.  Spending time looking up and around, instead of down, reflecting on God’s creation.  

There are many more, of course, but this can be a good start.  And be prepared for the distractions that will seek to draw you away from doing them.  Our mutual enemy has a very different agenda and so will seek to deter you from the one the Lord has for you.  But, like Nehemiah, you will need to have your “great project” in the front of your mind and always ready to defend it against anything or anyone seeking to take you away from it.

Today, as did Nehemiah, know what your priorities in life are and then be strong against any attempts to distract you from them.  In doing this, you won’t complete a wall, but you will build a great and fulfilling life.

© Jim Musser 2017