I want to start off this blog with something that I feel is super prevalent right now. Distractions. By definition the word distraction means, “a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else.” Synonyms include a diversion, an interruption, a disturbance, an interference, or a hindrance. I personally have been going through a season of distractions, specifically when it comes to spending time in the Word. After having my third baby, it has been almost like a battle of some sorts to try to carve the time out to just simply spend time with the Lord. It used to be so easy, but in this season of life it’s been difficult. I heard someone say one time that if Satan can’t defeat you, then he will distract you. And, honey, this is absolute truth! Just in sitting down to write this blog entry, I’ve already been distracted…A LOT.

There’s a scripture found in Mark 4 which is from the parable of the farmer scattering seed. Verse 19 says, “but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” When I read this I am immediately redirected to distractions—those “things” or “interruptions” that are coming between me and my time with God. Those “other things” are coming in and choking out the Word, or choking out my quiet time, and are therefore making me unfruitful! NOT GOOD. Time to make a serious change.

I also love this passage found in Colossians 3:1–2, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” I dare say, most of my distractions, and probably yours too, are earthly distractions. For me, to put it simply, it’s my phone and my kids. I have the best intentions by sitting down, Bible open, pen in hand, notebook out and ready to be written in, and all of a sudden I’ll get a text from my best friend or my husband will ask me a question, or my 4-year-old will want something to drink, or the baby will be playing with a very loud toy, or my oldest will ask me to take her somewhere, or my mind will just start thinking about the most absurd and random things. I’ll instantly remember all the things that are on my “to-do” list, whether it be for the house, my job, my church, my kids…you name it, my mind is flooded with it. The Bible tells us clearly in this passage to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. All of those distractions I mentioned above that are my personal distractions…those are earthly things. The phrase “Set your minds” is actually an action statement. To set is a verb meaning “to put something (my mind) in a specified place or position.” This is telling me that I have to actively and purposefully put myself and my mind in a position to solely be focused on being in the Word. I’ve got to do the necessary steps to eliminate my distractions.

I was sitting down at my dining room table last week and was attempting my usual routine of quiet time.  Within a few minutes, I of course was distracted a few times and I found myself just sitting there chewing on my pen and saying to myself, “Why is this so hard???!” I instantly heard the Holy Spirit softly say “10 days.” Ten days, I thought? And then it hit me. He’s wanting me to physically turn off my distractions for ten days. I knew that for me it meant no Facebook, no Instagram, no Pinterest. No sitting down with my phone during my quiet time. In fact, I’m to put it on “do not disturb” mode.

He also recently showed me a place in my home where I am to go from now on for my quiet time. It’s to the couch that sits inside our office. And I am to close the doors. While I’m sure I will miss social media for a bit, I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that I’m super excited for these next 10 days. I know the Lord is wanting to teach me something and reveal something to me and there’s honestly not much more invigorating than that. So, for these next 10 days, I will remove those social media apps from my phone. I will place my phone on “do not disturb” during my quiet time. I will make sure my kids have their breakfast in place and that my husband knows I will be out of commission for a little bit while I sit on the couch in the office with those doors closed.

We can’t afford to be so connected to this life but be so disconnected with our Father. We can’t allow other things to come in and consume our time and minds. I personally don’t want to live a distracted life. I want to live a Jesus-infused life where I’m not listening to the noise of the world, but more so the voice of my Creator. Sure, some of our distractions are fun, but that fun is just temporary; it’s not eternal.

I’ll close with this story found in the Bible about Mary and her sister Martha. Luke 10:38–42 in The Message says, “As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. ‘Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.’ The Master said, ‘Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course and it won’t be taken from her.’

There’s so much goodness in here.

• Mary, sitting before the Master, hanging on to every word he said.
• Martha interrupting them (remember interruption was one of our synonyms earlier for distraction)
• The Lord gently correcting her by calling her name twice, then telling her that only ONE thing is essential!
• Mary chose it! (We have to make that choice, too.)

Mary saw the Lord as her treasure, totally focused on Him, hanging on to every word. Martha was being busy and getting caught up in her distractions and was missing out on the main course, as its referred to here in this passage. Don’t be busy and distracted like Martha. Don’t miss out on the main course!

Matthew 6:21 says, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” If your treasure or the things you value are earthly things such as your phone, social media, or your “to-do list,” then that is exactly where your heart will live. But if your treasure or things you value are heavenly things such as the Word of God, the plans He has for your life, or your relationship with the Holy Spirit, then that is where your heart will live. And not just live, but thrive.

I challenge you to go through these next 10 days with me if you feel inclined. Let’s turn off all our distractions. Let’s go to our quiet place and open His Word. Let’s position our minds to be saturated with what He has to say to us. As we read, let’s ponder and read it slowly asking how this relates to us, to our families, to our children, husbands, jobs so that every area of our life can take on a God-focused life free from the enemies distractions.

“Father, I thank You for infusing me with Your strength to get through these next 10 days without being distracted from Your presence. Open my heart and my mind to understand Your Word, fill me with complete knowledge of Your will and give me spiritual wisdom and understanding. Help me to always fix my mind on You. You are my one, true treasure. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

If you decide to do this 10-day challenge with me, please take a second and head over to the menu section, and click on the contact tab to shoot me a message and let me know so I can be specifically pray for you!