Distraction Is a Dream Killer!
Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil.
Proverbs 4:25-27
Most everyone has a childhood dream. My daughter is still figuring out her life purpose. She was discussing this with a friend recently as she ran through the list of careers that have sparked her interest. She then revealed the one thing that changed her mind about each one. They go against her grain. They do not ignite a fire in her.
Unfortunately, another trait we share is our ability to get distracted from what we set our mind to.
Distraction is a dream killer!
Distractions come in many forms. We face them every day! How wonderful to be like Mary and hang on to every word the Lord whispers to us. Shouldn't our heart's desire to be to follow His plan for our life? If we really love the Lord, we would be compelled to do so.
Imagine Jesus sitting there at a desk, waiting for us to meet a deadline. He watches us wandering aimlessly, doing this and that, but certainly not completing the assignment He has given us. We make one excuse after another until the opportunity simply passes us by. He's called someone else to take our place in the board room.
Wow, what a holy sorrow that is when I realize my focus on His will has weakened. The last thing I want to do is get distracted from His plan and extend my energy doing other things. Our days and minutes are numbered. We must make the very most of them.
A friend gave me a book titled, "Distractions From Destiny: 8 Distractions You Must Overcome to Achieve Your Life's Purpose", written by Harry and Cheryl Salem. I began jumping around the chapters and now I am finally getting serious and reading it cover to cover. It's a gem!
The book begins with an introduction that explains why God restores our life from a broken and shattered existence; He has a purpose for us! We are all destined for greatness from a heavenly perspective; not greatness from the world's standards.
Yet, each and every day, many of us get distracted from His purpose through one or more of these 8 contributing factors. I've provided the list of distractions but summarized what I've learned by applying my own thoughts on each of these tools of the enemy:
#1 Broken Focus (Proverbs 4:25-27)
Attacks on our minds are meant to break our focus. Satan does not want us to live out our purpose. Therefore, he throws temptations, accusations, lies, and condemnation at us. May we hold steadfast to Jesus and run the race set before us, keeping our eyes on the prize at all times!
#2 People (2 Corin 6:14; Psalm 1:1-6)
How many of us have become involved with a dream stealer? Do the people you surround yourself with encourage you to use your God-given gifts? Do they encourage your dreams? Do we really want to be among those who do not encourage us to walk out our calling? We must be equally yoked, whether it is a mate, or our circle of friends. Others do not hear what we hear from the Lord. Only we know what we know. Only we know the Truth for our life. How easily we can be distracted by people who think we're crazy for jumping out of the boat!
#3 An Offended Heart (Matthew 18:21-22, 32-35)
This is all about unforgiveness and the inability to trust others. It creates division and isolation from those who God wants to use to fulfill His purpose for your life. Once you begin to let down those walls and pull off your mask, divine appointments suddenly take place. I call them 'Sacred Relationships'. Remember, a house divided can not stand. Do not let pride or bitterness rob you of God's blessings on your life!
#4 Double Mindedness (Matthew 6:24-30; James 1:4-7)
Can't make up your mind? Do you flip flop on your purpose in life? You may be afflicted with confusion or double mindedness. We can only serve one master! Either we serve the Lord or we don't. If you are chasing riches or your own stature in society, you are serving the world, or even Satan. Our God-given gift is entrusted to us for Kingdom work. Period.
This is also a matter of our faith. If we are wavering or doubting, we must not have faith that God knows what He is doing by calling us to take action. Are we really following Him?
#5 Lack of Direction (Ps 37:3-7; Jer 29:11; Prov 4:11; John 16:13)
As we seek God's purpose for our life, we expect that His Spirit will lead us. But are we communicating with Him? Holy Spirit is our counselor; our Helper. It is essential for us to be in prayer and seeking direction through Scripture. He will also lead others called to the same work to cross your path. Here is an exerpt from this chapter on praying for direction:
- Ask God to reveal His purpose for your life and how to get there.
- Ask for specific Scriptures to guide you.
- Ask Him to uncover any hindrances keeping you from your destiny such as unforgiveness, bitterness, or disobedience.
- Ask him to send the right people to encourage your purpose and to remove those who are toxic to His plan for your life.
- Ask him to open the right doors and shut the wrong ones.
- Ask him for the necessary resources to reach your destiny.
- Be sure to journal all that God reveals to you.
#6 Time (Psalm 139; Habakkuk 2:3; Ps 37:7)
One's life purpose is not defined or fulfilled overnight, by no means. You may not have even discovered your gifts until well into your adult years. Now, we wait...and trust...and wait...for God's perfect timing. It is easy to get distracted or discouraged during the season of waiting. However, if we trust in the Lord's promises in Scripture, we can be assured He is working behind the scenes to make a way for His plan for our life. He also is busy preparing and equipping us.
"One of the Hebrew root words for 'wait' means "to dance". God wants us to learn to praise, to dance, and to glorify Him through the waiting period. If we don't, we will get our eyes off the end result, off our harvest, off our destiny. We cannot have the harvest without a time of waiting."
#7 The Comparison Trap (2 Corin 10:12-13; Luke 15:29-30, Luke 10:38-42)
Jealousy, insecurity, pride, and envy are all common themes in Scripture. We read about it in the stories of Cain and Abel and again with Mary and Martha. Each member of the Body of Christ is created for a unique purpose. We all are in various places in regard to the use or maturity of our gifts. Insecurity is a form of pride and can be yet another obstacle in our spiritual growth. Remain focused on who God created YOU to be and the passion His Spirit has planted in YOUR heart. If you desire a gift such as prayer ministry, ask God. He is faithful!
FINALLY, the #8 Distration is Fear (365 Fear Not Scriptures!)
When fear preys on it, you Pray on it!
More than twenty times in over fifty Scriptures, God said, "If you fear not, I will..". Having lived most of my life under the often debilitating spirit of fear, I recognize it when it creeps up in me. When I say debilitating, I mean it can hault us right smack on our tracks and be the biggest obstacle in the fulfillment of our destiny. Fear is the opposite of Faith! Today, the Spirit of Truth conquers that familiar foe. Here are just a few promises from God's Word.
"If You Fear Not, I Will...
Now time to finish my book!
"If You Fear Not, I Will...
- "...Be Your Shield and Reward" Genesis 15:1
- "...Hear You" Genesis 21:17 - Do you want God to hear you?
- "...Be With You, Multiply You, and Bless You" Genesis 26:24
- "...Supply Your Finances" Genesis 43:23 - If you are afraid, your pocketbook will be empty!
- "...Do All You Ask" Ruth 3:11 - If you fear not, God will do all you ask! He said it, so it is true. Here, Boaz is speaking to Ruth, but it was God who led her to Boaz and softened Boaz's heart toward her..."And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman."
Now time to finish my book!
Your Beloved Sister in Christ ~
Cherie 
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May the words shared here bless you in some way and inspire you to draw closer to God. Your input is welcomed and appreciated, my friend!