by Kellie Kinnear
Distractions, distractions, distractions… do you struggle with them like I do?
This is not a new concept by any means, in fact it’s the oldest trick in the book. The Holy Bible records the very first distraction experienced by humankind. That delicious looking fruit was just too hard to resist, the thought of being all powerful was so alluring. Eve was distracted from the truth which was literally all around her.
We too have many opportunities to indulge our senses and often indulge them more frequently than we care to admit. Distraction is a constant thorn, and the master of trickery is still at large. Unhealthy attention and distractions rob us of what we are truly purposed for, and if you have ever been counselled to stop fixating on something, you will know how difficult that is to achieve on your own. God’s word promises we are never alone. People like you and me battled and overcame the distractions of everyday life. Fixing or attention is not always a deficit.
LISTEN - Proverbs 4:25-27 - Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get side-tracked; keep your feet from following evil.’
PRAY - Psalm 119:37 ‘ Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.’
FOCUS - Philippians 4:8 ‘Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.’
As I have shared in previous QB Women’s blog posts, I found wise counsel in the book of Ruth. The nation Ruth was born into was known for their fixation on worldly things. Ruth, blessed through marriage into the family of Elimelech and Naomi of Bethlehem, found herself in a position to leave her old life and start over. Back in Naomi’s hometown, Ruth’s quiet character shone and attracted much attention among the gleaners of the barley field Naomi sent her to. The owner of this field, Boaz, noted this attention and decreed Ruth could glean as much as she needed. There is considerable fixing of attention in this story. Ruth, determined as she ventures into the unknown. Naomi, setting her heart upon securing Ruth’s future. Boaz, observing an honourable and worthy character. These individuals demonstrate the power of staying focussed on what was before them. They overcame cultural stereotypes and personal fears. They give us hope.
Helen Howarth Lemmel drew inspiration for a well-known hymn from a tract given to her by missionary Lilias Trotter, entitled "Focused." From this she penned these words…
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace
The distractions of earthly things though many, are finite.
May we reflect God’s eternal glory and grace to those around us as we turn and fix our eyes upon Jesus.
Kellie and her family fellowship at Minden Baptist Church, where Kellie coordinates Music Play at Minden (their community playgroup). She and her husband Sean have 4 children aged 11 -22. Her joy is to see women find freedom through knowing they are valued and loved by Jesus.
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