A woman named Peggy recently wrote and said: “I would like to know how to keep my focus on God and walk in the Spirit and not be distracted.”
It’s easy to get distracted with all that is happening in the world….even if it’s just our own busy schedule or keeping up with our children’s. But I have found, in my life, that the key to keeping focused on Christ is keeping the channels of communication open with God.
The older I get, the more I find my life becoming one long prayer and communion with God. Now, I’d like that to be as spiritual as it sounds, but often it is just a matter of talking with Him throughout the day, bringing things before Him that attempt to rob me of my peace or joy, taking the ‘what ifs’ to Him before they have a chance to stress me out, and reminding myself to constantly thank Him for all that is going on throughout the day.
To be in that mode of praying throughout the day starts in the morning as soon as I get out of bed. I must remind myself why I was created: to love God and enjoy Him forever. Therefore, my goal for the day is already established. It’s about Him and His pleasure with my life. It’s not about me.
I then try to set aside time, before doing anything else, to just be in His presence and commune with Him and His Word. That reinforces to me that who I am, what I have, and all I have to do really belongs to Him. I am His servant. That really puts me in perspective.
Just this morning, one of the first emails I received was a brief, but kind explanation by a woman who needed to cancel one of my speaking engagements for early next year. Her group is undergoing transition and she assured me it was nothing personal. Now, ordinarily, that would be upsetting as it would cause some schedule adjustments, and possibly a discussion about broken agreements. I could tend to be out of sorts about it. But just prior to opening that email, I was in prayer asking God for His direction in my life over the next several months. Immediately, what came to my mind was that:
1. The cancellation didn’t take God by surprise.
2. He knows all about where I will be and what I will need to be doing on that day that I thought I would be ministering to that particular group.
3. He can be trusted with that schedule change of mine.
Honestly, had I not been asking God what He wanted for me in the next several months, that might not have been my reaction. I could’ve been easily distracted’ by it, rather than seeing it as another opportunity to trust Him.
That’s just one example of what happened in my day that could’ve been a distraction, rather than a faith-building incident. But when we have the communication channels open with God all day, seeing everything as part of His divine will, it keeps us focused on and surrendered to His Spirit.
What keeps you focused on Christ throughout the day so that you walk in His Spirit and not in the feelings, frustrations or fears of the flesh? Leave a comment below. I’m sure my readers would love to hear it.
Distractions at work are more and more of a problem as I get older. This past year I’ve started wearing headphones and listening to Christian music. It helps so much. But, I did for several months get so busy that I turned away from my morning quiet time with God. Recently God has made me so aware of how much I really do need that connection with Him. After a week off from work and daily communing with God my first day back to work yesterday, busy and hectic as usual, went much better for me – I know because of my renewed connection with Him.
I find also that work can be a major distraction, and I have to seek to focus on moments that show The Lord in all circumstances and thank him for knowing what was ahead and preparing me for it.
Also a major problem is the busyness with children and their activities. You can spend days being busy with their activities and not spend quality time with God. That I find is a major problem for me.
Thanks for commenting, Althea. You’re right, work, raising children, and everyday life can be a distraction to our spiritual life if we don’t practice a constant awareness of His presence and, like you said, continue to remember that He knows what’s ahead and is preparing us for it. Thanks for your insights.
I am a mother of 3 little kids who works part time. My husband works as a youth director at our church and extremely busy when he is at work. I love him so much and take pride in what he does and honestly want him to get rest whn he is home. I am doing fine taking care of the house and kids but recently feeling guilty that i am not doing enough for God. Idon’t know if it’s because I am comparing myself to my friends at church who have kids little older than me who can actually do stuff when they want to. I see that their husbands intentionally give them time to do what they are capable of. My husband appreciates what I do around home and tries to discourage me from doing anything more than i do now. i know there is a time for everything, but at the same time I feel like I am not fruitful enough. I tried to take upon the Nursery charge but I just don’t have time for anything 🙁 Another thing is I am more like a follower more than a leader, and it’s hard for me to take initiative on anything…ugh.. I am just confused 🙁
Nisha: I know many moms, like you, who feel guilty for not “doing enough” for God and yet, please remember two things:
1. Your greatest ministry is to your husband and to your little ones as they are growing up. The fact that your husband discourages you from doing more is evidence that he, too, believes your priorities need to be at home. That’s not a lesser calling. No one else can be there for him and for his children than his wife and their mother. So enjoy this time that you have raising your little ones. There will be plenty of years to serve in the church when they are grown and not needing you around as much.
2. The Holy Spirit is not the One who whispers to you that you are not “doing enough” for God. As I present in my book, “When Women Long for Rest,” God would rather have you spend time WITH Him than do a bunch of things FOR Him. It is our own guilt or the enemy that tells us we should be “DOING” more to please God and others around us. It is not our service that pleases God anyway. It is our faith and trust (which is often displayed by our REST) in Him. Honor your husband, by focusing on the children and your home right now (in addition to your part-time job) and God will honor you, as well.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I hope you are encouraged by knowing that God is just as pleased with you being a ‘helpmeet’ to your husband and raising your children in the knowledge of Him as He would be if you were leading the entire children’s ministry at your church or whatever else we look at and tend to think is more “spiritual” or “productive” for the kingdom. The church today, as a whole, needs young people (and pastors’ kids) who love and obey the Lord. Press on my sister. You are ALREADY doing enough. : )
You were talking to me God has taking me in the direction of true worship and I was feeling kind of afraid and all along it was my flesh!!! Thank you for giving me clearer understanding because my pastor wants me to lead worship tomorrow please keep me in prayer as I do what God called me to do. Be blessed
Thank you, Iris, for your comment. Lord, empower Iris to do through You what is beyond her as she leads people into Your presence through worship tomorrow.
I tend to be distracted by a lot of things. I work full time, I have two young children ages 4 and 5. I have a boyfriend and a home to take care of. I attend Church every Sunday but daily living becomes a distraction for me. I often cannot find time to communicate with God. When this happens I find myself struggling in my relationship, struggling to be a great mother, struggling to focus at work. I love God and I think about him 24/7 but I know that I need to pray more and to make God number one in my life. It is when I am going through a storm that I realize that I really do need God and without him I am lost. Being distracted with the things of this world distracts me from trusting God. If I don’t stay connected with God as much as I should how can I trust him? I find myself questioning my life and worrying 24/7. It is hard to set my mind on God and not on the things that are going on in my life. I know that God has great plans for me but sometimes I guess I get a bit selfish and try to handle things on my own. I need to let God lead my life, let God take control, and trust that if I put my life in God’s hands that he will make a way for me. It is easier said than done. But today I have no other choice but to trust God. I have been through so much that I have no other option. I pray that God refreshes my mind so I don’t have to worry and I pray that God gives me the strength to trust.
Meghan: Your struggle is a common one. I, too, find myself struggling in my relationships and other areas of life when I don’t make the time to connect with God and surrender to His will on a daily basis. But He understands our struggle. And when we ask Him for the strength, the focus, the discipline to be obedient in all things, He is so faithful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. God, give Meghan an extra measure of your grace today to do all that she is called to do as a mom and a woman of God and let her know that You are there throughout the day to lean on, to worship, to rest in. Amen.
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Hi Kerri. Thank you for complimenting me on my site. I hired a webmaster to design this site for me on WordPress. It is a web design software. Some people can design themselves, but web design is not my forte. Thanks for reading my blog.