“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.” Luke 15:13 (NIV)
How does a runner prepare for a marathon? He removes distractions that would impede his progress and focuses his energy and effort on intentional training.
One of Satan’s primary tools is to keep us distracted from God’s plan. We begin to major on the minors and minor on the majors. We drift from our core values and seek to embrace superfluous agendas.
The prodigal son allowed the allurements of the distant country to distract him from his father’s plan. He sought to bypass his father’s protection and provision in order to court a cheap but appealing substitute. Sin never delivers what it promises!
What’s the antidote to distractions? How do you overcome the lure of leaving the straight life? Here it is:
Make up your mind!
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Col 3:1-3 (NIV)
Pray this prayer with me: “Lord, I have made up my mind. Since I have been raised with You, I will set my heart on things above where You are seated at the right hand of God. Lord, I have made up my mind. I will set my mind on things above and not on earthly things. I have made up my mind. Since you died on the cross for me, my life is now hidden with You in God. I have made up my mind in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care
0 replies on “Distractions”
What a great message. I wish everyone would read this and feel the truth that it is. If we would only stop and think about this message we would be able to lead such a better and happier life. Even though no one has left a comment this message speaks loud and clear. Thank you