Pieces of an Unfinished Product

Life is so unpredictable and full of many uncertainties. Trying to keep your focus can seem like an unyielding chore. You struggle and fight desiring to do what’s right…only to find that you have gone off course. And though your heart is true, the influences of this world are so great and its power of persuasion so compelling, it soon proves to be stronger than you had anticipated. It tugs violently at your core—pulling and pushing you further away from destiny. And, as Christians, this makes it hard to stay on your mission. You work diligently but still seem to be spinning your wheels. And though you are dedicated to the cause, like the old cliché’ says, “If it’s not one thing…it’s the other”. It seems the more you try to focus…the more you are deterred by the countless distractions of life. Distractions that have purposely sent your life hurling in another direction. But what are these distractions and how are they hindering your life…spiritually? However, in order to get clarity and find direction, we must first discuss what the definition of a distraction is. The dictionary (Disctionary.com, 2017) says that a distraction is anything that draws the mind away in another direction; to divert; confuse or bewilder. The etymology of the word distracted is, to be divided. The prefix in the word distracted, “dis”, means to be divided or split. The root word “tract” means to pull apart or to draw. One definition that really gives this word depth is this, “to draw or direct (as one’s attention) to a different object or in different directions at the same time”. Doesn’t that sound like a typical day in your life? I know it sounds like a typical day in mine. Sometime I start off in one direction and end up in another. I use to think that was the story of my life. But now I know that I CAN have direction and I CAN stay focused. And although it seems like a curse of our times, we ‘can’ fight against all the distractions that have been strategically set up and placed in our lives. But first, we must have a clear definition of what distraction means. Then, once defined, it is much easier to pin point them and then decide what your distractions are and what your course of action will be. Distractions come in various forms. They take on many shapes and sizes. There are many different names for the many different distractions in our lives. Hmmm, I can easily put a name to all of mine. Sometimes we don’t even recognize the distractions. Most times, it is something that has become so common to us that we are comfortable with it. These distractions have become a best friend, a job, a hobby, a relative, a spouse, a dream, etc. We have given some of these distractions priority in our lives. They have become lord of it. They tug and pull us in all directions. We can’t even seem to filter out what’s good from what is bad. We only know that we have lost our focus and can’t seem to find our way. We are looking at people pass us by. Our distractions have become so great that we can’t even see clearly the things that are around us. Everyone and everything are a blur. We try to focus only to find that the things that we have been trying to focus on are not even essential to our lives. We have given a seat to foolishness and despair. Our social media's have become a faithful friend. Some have even fallen prey to the distraction called church. Hmmm, I see your brows raising...but keep reading. When church is nothing more than your weekly chore, a place where you gather just so you can say that you gathered, your place of over involvement, or the place that sees more of you than your family or spouse...then it is a distraction. You can become so over involved in the work of the God that you miss the heart and purpose of God. The sole purpose of the church and your spiritual involvement is that you give praise and worship to God and that He receives all the Glory. Let's recall Matthew 7:22 (Biblegateway.com, 2017), which says, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" Please know that this is all the plot of the devil. He wants to take something that God designed for a Holy purpose and make it unclean or to make it become a hindrance to Gods people. So, let's clear our agendas and make room for God. Let's make room for improvements. Here's the gravy, you are MOST effective when you are being used for the purpose that God created you for. Pay close attention to the word MOST. God can use you and whatever you offer Him for His service. But, He can get EFFECTIVE use out of you when you are USED FOR your Created purpose. You must be on the path that He has purposed for you and it is called Destiny.