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¹ Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, ² keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:1-2 HCSB)

I’ve been asking God what he wants me to write for my next blog. I feel like I’ve gotten behind because of changes in my work schedule. But, today when I was asking I started to wonder if I was really listening.

I’ve been so distracted with several things lately. My oldest teenage son’s and his soccer coach’s attitude towards each other has declined a little. It’s the end of the school year and the kids are taking tests, so I’m worried about their grades being what I think they should be. Then there is driving them around to the different activities, the end of the year activities, preparing for the summer and fall. Also, we paid off our mortgage. It’s a great feeling, but now I’m trying to refigure our finances and think about the next thing we need to get paid off.

For me, the biggest distraction is not all the things I just listed but playing games on the iPad. If I’m not careful I will spend hours playing on it.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote this: “Now I am saying this for your own benefit, not to put a restraint on you, but because of what is proper and so that you may be devoted to the Lord without distraction.” (1 Corinthians 7:35 HCSB) What was Paul referring to you may ask? He was actually telling the men and women in the church to stay single if they were single and didn’t have a passionate desire for someone. Not because he didn’t think a person should get married or didn’t believe in marriage, but because  staying single keeps your mind focused on God. If you’re married, your focus is divided between God and your spouse.

He explained that a married person has to think of worldly things, like your spouse’s wants and needs. You have to think about managing your budget. Then when you add children to the mix, there are more things to be concerned with. Theoretically speaking, you have one foot in heaven and one foot on earth. Your life is divided. You have to keep your mind on spiritual things and worldly things. It makes some things complicated.

Distractions can be good. Not all of them are bad. Many of them are fun, but when those distractions keep you from doing the Lord’s work they become a problem. I like writing devotionals for this blog. I feel like that is something God has called me to do. I want to be an encouragement to other like-minded Christians.

I will always have distractions because I have to work, I am married and have children, but hopefully God will help me to focus on Him and the work He wants me to do.

Lord, thank you for my husband and kids. Help me to be there for them when I need to be. Help me to not be distracted by their needs and wants when I need to be focused on Your work.