Living Intentionally–Passion versus Distraction

(If the idea of “living intentionally” appeals to you, feel free to link up with us at Internet Cafe Devotions).

I should be asleep.   I have a long day today, beginning with an early morning worship service as my husband and I attempt to divide and conquer several agenda items ahead of us today.   After laying awake and filling my head for a couple of hours with all sorts of fantastical thoughts, it occurred to me to find something more productive to do with my time.    So, I began my circle of prayer, which led me to think about why it took me so long to get to that place of communication with the Father.   The simple answer is that my random ponderings were much more fun, albeit irrelevant.

One of the biggest detractors to accomplishing what God assigns to us–that item that we are most passionate about–is not always a lack of money.   Wisdom, with the click of a mouse or a cell phone, is often available, and encouragement might be little, but still present.   I am convinced that the biggest detractor is simply our uncanny knack to fill up time and space with other mindless pursuits but produce no fruit.    We procrastinate; we get distracted.    And like most waywardness, distraction begins in the mind  before it manifests itself in our state of being.   The impact of this, at least for me, is a moment, hours later, when I feel as if I have accomplished little or nothing, or I can’t connect the small dots of accomplishment into the bigger picture of why I chose that action in the first place.

God’s Word over our thoughts is to cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ  (2nd Corinthians 10:5).   It is a high standard, but it keeps our minds focused on Him and the work that He has called us to complete.   Whether that work is a book, a presentation, or loads of dirty clothes or dishes, we are guaranteed that, as we abide in Him and He in us, we will bear much fruit.   Apart from Him, we can do nothing.   (John 15:5)

So as I move forward in this year, the task for me is not to define my passion, but instead, to confront all the distractions that block the way.    How about you?    How many hours do you spend in what Stephen Covey refers to as non-urgent, unimportant activities?   As women of purpose and plan, we really don’t have time to waste.   Too much is at stake in our homes, in our churches, and in our communities.   Ladies, we’ve got work to do.

Personally, this is my heart’s plea:

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalms 139: 23-24

‘Wicked,’ in this sense, doesn’t only imply evil or impure in nature.   One of the definitions of ‘wicked’ is unjustifiable.   As I pursue my passions, I want the Lord to remove from me those thoughts, those words, and those activities that are unjustifiable.   Be blessed, friends.