Warning: It is Dangerous To Be Distracted

It happens very innocently. One morning as you are driving down the highway you begin thinking about a conversation you had the previous evening. You begin reviewing in your mind what you said. Perhaps you even begin to wish that you had not said a particular thing, or maybe there is something that now you regretted you had not said. And then all of a sudden you realize you have run off the road. You may have even hit something with your car. There is a very simple explanation for what has happened. You allowed yourself to be distracted while driving.

Each year the cause of many automobile accidents is that the driver became distracted. While the driver should have been concentrating on the operation of the automobile, his mind goes to other matters that impair his ability to properly operate his automobile. The result is that he puts both himself and other people at a very serious risk. Sometimes the consequences of a driver being distracted involve the loss of life, both of the driver and other people.

A much greater threat to our well-being can be described as spiritual distraction. Indeed, the goal of our lives as Christians is for heaven to be our eternal home. Anything that takes us away from that focus is a distraction. Consider these words from the apostle Paul that emphasize the striving of his life, “I press toward the goal for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

At times there may be questions or situations that trouble us in life. Instead of getting “caught up in the moment,” may we more often ponder our aim and striving of heaven. Otherwise we may end up being spiritually distracted. Most assuredly, anything here on earth that distracts us from an eternal home in heaven should be resisted and avoided. We have an upward calling. In Christ we are blessed with a marvelous hope, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19). We have been given “exceedingly great and precious promises (II Peter 1:4). We can rest in the assurance that our Lord will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5 & 6). Also, the apostle Paul emphasized the following blessing we have in Christ, “And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:10).

The promise of heaven is thrilling to consider. As Jesus has assured, “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). May God help us that we will faithfully maintain our upward calling. Heaven is before us, and it is our earnestly desired destination. Please do not allow yourself to become distracted along the journey of your life.