The Way Followed
We live in a distracting world. While you’re trying to read this blog, you may receive a text message (or more), emails, phone calls, calendar requests, and I promise you that your mind will be tempted to drift. Our families sit down for a normal meal, and we now have to set rules for the dining room table, such as no devices. Recently, my youngest and I were leaving a restaurant when he noticed a family waiting for their meal. There were electrical outlets next to their table, and this family of four had brought long charging cables, each of them hooked up to the outlets. They were all buried in their phones. This has become a common occurrence.
Distractions.
Jesus has a better way for us.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
Jesus gives us a narrow pathway that helps us stay focused. The final result is life. I do not believe there has ever been a time when I have been busier, pulled in more conversational directions, or required to provide answers to questions I often know nothing about. This is the work of the enemy, trying to distract me and each of us from the ultimate goal in our lives. Distraction can hinder us from hearing God’s plan for our lives. It can cause us to become weary. It can lead us down a path of destruction, rather than one that leads to life. Distraction makes us feel disorganized, unworthy, and ultimately unfit to carry out the kingdom assignment God has for us. Distraction, however, is different from being busy. What are the differences?
I am reminded of a simple verse in Scripture that is often overlooked. This verse is part of a larger story that catches our attention.
“And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.” Matthew 2:12
This verse comes in the middle of the story where the Magi are on their way to see the newborn king, Jesus. The Magi’s path was one of worshiping Jesus, while Herod’s path was filled with trouble and deceit. Herod wanted to find the baby Jesus and ultimately have Him killed. In the middle of the story, Herod privately meets with the wise men and “inquired of them diligently.” The wise men could have been distracted by Herod’s questions, overwhelmed by his intentionality, and confused by his reasoning. But they were not distracted. They knew their calling, understood their mission, and remained on the path that led to life rather than destruction. When they found the newborn Jesus, they worshiped Him, honored Him, and gave Him gifts. Amidst all the fanfare of meeting Jesus, they realized that they needed to take a different route to return home. God warned them, and they listened. They did not allow the distractions of life to interfere with their sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
We are called to be sensitive to where God is leading, to His direction for our lives, and to where He calls us to serve and advance His Kingdom. As I mentioned earlier, distractions and busyness are different. What are the differences?
- Distraction – A thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else.
- Busyness – The state or condition of having a great deal to do.
Distraction prevents us from accomplishing the task we are called to do. Busyness may be part of what we are called to do. Every person should have a mission statement for their life. The wise men had a defined mission statement:
“Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2
They knew exactly what they were called to accomplish, and they chose not to waiver from that mission. No matter how intense the distraction of Herod became, they remained focused on the main objective: to worship Jesus. That is ultimately our mission in life— to worship and bring glory to Jesus in all we do. The enemy will do everything possible to distract us from that mission. However, being busy about the work of the kingdom is different from being distracted and failing to advance the kingdom. Every one of us needs to evaluate our lives. Are we busy advancing the Kingdom, or are we walking down paths that broaden and ultimately lead to destruction? There is a difference, but you must be walking in the Spirit, as the wise men were, to understand and experience the difference. Jesus never said that the narrow road would be an easy journey; He only stated that it would lead to life. Few find the difference between distractions and busyness, but those who do will receive the greatest reward for their labor.
THIS IS THE WAY!
Mr. Euler has over 20 years of experience working in Christian Schools, 13 as a Head of School and is currently the Head of School at Word of God Academy, Shreveport, LA., a ministry of Word of God Ministries.
Website www.wogacademy.org
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