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Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Staying Focused on God’s Plan for My Life

In review of Luke 9:62, “Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God’” (TLB).

What does Jesus want? Jesus asks for my total dedication, not half hearted commitment. I can't pick and choose among Jesus' ideas and follow him selectively; I have to accept the cross along with the crown. I must count the cost and be willing to abandon everything else that has given me security, without looking back. With my focus on Jesus, I should not allow anything to distract me from following him.

God has an amazing life planned for me, but Jesus made it clear that I need to stay focused.

The Devil is committed to keeping me “out of the game.He doesn’t want me doing Kingdom work. Keeping me distracted is one of the methods he uses to make me ineffective.

Would you agree that distractions abound in our world today?

Take people pleasing, for example. When I am distracted by pleasing others, their plans become more important than God’s plans. I become consumed by thinking about what others want and expect from me rather than discovering God’s will.

Even hobbies can become a distraction when they become an obsession. There’s nothing wrong with having a hobby—unless it becomes a top priority in your heart. Some things aren’t necessarily bad; they just aren’t good. “Everything is permissible, but not everything is helpful” (1 Corinthians 10:23 HCSB). If a hobby or a habit isn’t helpful, it’s probably a distraction. For my life, do I want what’s good or what’s best?

Getting caught up in the past could be a distraction in a couple of different ways. You might get stuck by reminiscing over the “good ol’ days,” ignoring your God-given opportunities in the present. On the other hand, I might be overburdened with regret and unable to move forward. In any event, the past is a prison when it keeps you from focusing on God’s work for today.

Pleasing others, obsessing over hobbies, and being stuck in the past certainly aren’t the only things that can be distractions. I need to consider this morning what the most important things in my life are. Write them down so you can remember them and ask God to help me remain focused on what is most important.

In summary, anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work God has planned for me, is not fit for the Kingdom of God. Jesus asks for my total dedication, not a  half hearted commitment. I must be willing to abandon everything that has given me security, without looking back. I should not allow anything to distract me from following Him. I need to stay focused. The enemy will find ways to distract me, to keep me from doing God's work. I must consider today what are the most important things in my life. I can then ask God to help me remain focused on what's most important. 

Today’s verse is a reminder that I have been living most of my life for my work the past year and a half. This has certainly distracted me from doing what God’s will is for me. I pray this morning that I can keep my work at work and not allow it to consume my thoughts as much as it does. Help me focus on what needs to be done while I’m at work. Help me to love and serve others as you would want me to do. I also pray for wisdom and guidance for my day. I pray these things through your Son Jesus name, amen.

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