Keeping Distractions At Bay

In review of Proverbs 4:5 it says, Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.

Bottom Line:

Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget what you’ve learned.

What this means to me:

I’m encouraged to get wisdom by seeking and developing good judgment, sense, insight and understanding. I should not forget what I’m learning or being taught, nor should I ignore or turn away from it.

One of the most important tests in life as I work toward achieving what God has call me to do is the cultural distractions that are all around me. These are items that can drift my focus away.

There is:

The distraction of popularity. If I’m worried about what other people think, I will be distracted from my destiny.

The distraction of pleasure. While it’s okay to have fun and feel comfort, but making it the primary focus of life, will never fulfill what I was meant for.

The distraction of profits. I can’t serve both God and money. Making a profit or gaining more shouldn’t be a primary focus.

The distraction of possessions. Judging my success by how much stuff I own will only keep me concerned about keeping and maintaining things.

If I’m going to fulfill the mission God has given me, I must dare to be different from others. I must stay focused on the most important thing: my relationship with Jesus Christ.      

I realized that a root of some of my more recent disappointments has come from being worried about what others think of me. I’m taking too much pride in wanting to be known as someone who has it all together and under control. When things go wrong, I’m thinking I’m perceived as not being able to handle things. This affects my character and how I act, think about and probably treat others that work under my direction.

I also realize that when things don’t go to my way of thinking, that my stress level increases (i.e. recent revealing of being transferred from my current work reporting relationship to another, who may want to change the reporting structure.)  This too affects my character and how I act, think about and probably treat others around me.

In reflecting on this today, I remember Romans 8:28.  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)” I need to “828” myself to remind me, that “in all things God works for the good”.  What I’m going through is just part of building my character, faith and my reliance on Him.

This morning father, I pray that you give me the courage to be different and go against cultural standards and not be distracted from what you have in store for me.