Distractions Can Be Sign Of Avoidance
Distractions in of themselves are innocuous. They become problematic when they’re used as methods of avoidance. To be sure, they are useful in the sense of giving a person a mental and emotional break. It’s one of the purposes of entertainment. Sometimes, we do need to forget about life for a short while, especially if it’s been tough lately. Recreation is a valuable tool for renewal and re-centering. Distractions do serve as a mechanism to combat stress and fatigue.
However, they can also be quite costly; especially, if one is constantly distracting himself, either intentionally, or subconsciously. This can be sign there’s something that needs to be addressed. For instance, one may use them to avoid the mourning process of a loss. They are avoiding the pain, and the tears that accompany loss. The problem is it only prolongs the healing process. Mourning is biblical. Scripture shows that people were to take a period of time to mourn. Tears are healthy.
Obviously, people use distractions as avenues of procrastination. There are numerous examples of more harm being done by not addressing issues sooner than later. The quicker a person deals with something; the less damage is done. And that does state the obvious.
Then there’s the Jonah syndrome, so to speak. As you might recall, the prophet, Jonah was called by God go to people of Nineveh to warn them of certain destruction. He tried to run the other direction. In his case, God intervened in a very unorthodox manner to say the least (read the book of Jonah for further details). In the end the people repented, and destruction was avoided for a season.
How many are running from their God-given calling? Some use distractions to avoid thinking about it. Fear may be a reason for their avoidance. “It might cost me everything.” In other cases, they simply do not like the calling, because it doesn’t fit what they want to do. They’re leaning on their own understanding. Worse still, they are being prideful and rebellious. “It’s beneath me.” “Where’s the spotlight?”
The Cost Of Distractions
In the Parable of the Five Talents, Jesus said, “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” On the other hand, to the one who hid his talent, lost everything (read Matthew 25:14-30).
How can we expect to hear, “well done good and faithful servant,” if we are unwilling to obey the Lord? It is important to understand grace is not a get off scot-free card, which we use in a game of take it or leave it. Grace does not equate to carelessness, neither does it exclude the fear of the Lord. Ultimately, brushing God off does not end well.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Faith does require action. Too many say they have faith, but there is no fruit or evidence that backs up their statement. Hearing is only half of the equation. Obedience is the second half. Without it, faith is considered dead.
James 2:18-20 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
To be clear, rewards should be our motivation for obedience. As a matter of fact, obedience is a sign of our love for God. Nonetheless, without it, there are no rewards. At least, not ones that survive fire.
