Welcome to day 14 of 21 Days of Prayer
It's funny how distractions start to pile up as soon as we decide to get serious about something we know should be a priority. You have a dream, talk about it with people close to you, make your plans and feel good inside because you are convinced that you're going to get it done. Then all of a sudden, your attention is drawn away to something someone else is doing and kaboom, your goals are neglected. What happened? You got distracted!
It's like the farm boy who got a white football for Christmas. He played with it for awhile and then kicked it over into the neighbor's yard. An old rooster ran out, looked at that white football and called the hens to see it. "Now look here," the rooster said, "I don't want you girls to think I'm complaining, but I just want you to see what they are doing next door."
One of the quickest ways to fall short of your goals in 2018, is to let yourself become distracted. Whether it's distraction due to unplanned events, interruptions or what others are doing. The more of your time spent observing things that are not on your list, the less time you dedicate to your own agenda.
That is especially true when looking at what other people are doing. What they are doing may be admirable and incredible, but if it's not what God gave you to do, your time is not meant for it. In fact, too much "peeping over the wall" can lead to a false positive reading. In the case of the rooster, what you see may look like a really huge egg, but it may actually be a white football. So don't be deceived ~ all that glitters is not gold and certainly, is not meant for your time.
A good scripture that will encourage you to stay true to your focus this year, is Proverbs 4:25, which says,
"Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you."
Remember what motivated you and why it was important enough to turn into a goal. Then bathe it in prayer and find a scripture to support your dream. The time you spend doing that will cause it to crystallize and become a meaningful component of your core values. When that happens, it will be too important to just allow it to slip away, stolen by distraction.
Let's Pray:
Lord God, help me stay true to the agenda you've given me this year. No matter what comes my way, I am choosing to spend time fortifying my commitment to finish strong in 2018. I stand on I Corinthians 7:35, where we are told the word was spoken for our benefit, not to place restrictions on us but to help us do whatever will help us serve you the best and to do it with as few distractions as possible.
The next time I see something that draws my attention away from the path, help me to see it as a distraction that intends to short circuit the best me that I can be. Cause every God given goal to be a hunger and thirst for righteousness that I simply cannot let go of.
Make these dreams part of my core values; values that bring peace of God, that passes understanding. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and with that strength, I will not be distracted from your calling in 2018.
In Jesus's name, Amen!
~Inspiring hope and seasoning faith, Pastor Sean