Is it just me or does everyone easily fall into the ‘squirrel’ trap?

I was not working outside of home today so I hunkered down, purposing to do some planning for Kids’ Club, as I am on duty for the next few weeks. Since the basics were already covered, I was simply looking for some fun additions for the evening. An activity to reinforce this week’s Noah’s Ark story was my main focus, but I also wanted to find a few generic games to have up my sleeve.

All was going swimmingly, until those pesky links, cunningly dispersed in the body of text and enticingly illustrated at the bottom of the page, beckoned me to click. I stand before you now fully acknowledging my linking problem.

Ooohhhh….a theme night for thanksgiving would be fun!

Click. Click, click. Click, click, click.

Oh ya….our fall women’s event is coming up soon. Wouldn’t those decorations be lovely!

Click. Click, click. Click, click, click.

We mustn’t forget that there are some areas of ministry that need some attention.

Click. Click, click. Click, click, click.

At one point I had more than a dozen tabs open. Then, of course, I had to open my google docs (at least three of them) to record my ‘plans and inspiration’ (not to mention several Pinterest saves).

And yes, here I am now, pursuing the ultimate distraction: writing about my distraction.

Though the initial endeavour was part of my agenda for the day, I had many other boxes to check on my to-do list. I even set myself a time limit when I perceived I was caught in a bit of a black hole. Well, that window slammed shut before I was through and then my sweet grandlittles appeared at the door. Now that was a more-than-welcome interruption and a very good reason to set my ‘work’ aside.

Is anyone out there with me? Can you relate?

Some distractions in life are obviously necessary. Things like suspending what you’re doing to fix dinner or to collect the kids from school. Some distractions are welcome, like precious time with little ones who will be grown before we know it. Some distractions may be advantageous at a more appropriate time (like my distractions today) and some are simply not productive at all. They just keep us from completing the task at hand. Some may even be nefarious, leading us astray in one way or another.

As I considered the trajectory of my day, I was struck by the similarities in regard to my Christian life. God has purpose for me, but sometimes I am distracted by the cares of life and miss the mark. Again, not all distractions are wrong in and of themselves. I must be careful to consider the import of each one and its effect on what God is asking me to accomplish.

Paul reminds us that God, in His grace, gives us a new life in Christ. While we receive this new life in faith and not by our own works, God, knowing us intimately, planned for us to do some kingdom work for Him even before we were saved!

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. ~Ephesians 2:4-10 (emphasis mine)

Sometimes God needs to redirect me. Perhaps because I’ve started down a path that isn’t good for me, or it’s just because a particular choice becomes a deterrence, preventing me from an appointment He has set for me. Maybe it’s a good plan but He wants someone else to do it. It could also be that I’m jumping ahead–or lagging behind–and not trusting His perfect timing.

Again, these activities might be okay, even good, to participate in but if they’re not part of God’s plan for me, I need to step aside.

Titus 3 warns about unprofitable distractions in regard to being devoted to those good works. Paul had commissioned Titus to do some ‘clean up’ in Crete. The church was kind of running amok and Titus was advised to remind them of many of Paul’s (God’s!) teachings. There are many, but I want to just focus on those ‘good works’.

Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

But when the kindness of God our Saviour and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works.

These are good and profitable for everyone. But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning. For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned. ~Titus 3 (emphasis mine)

Paul exhorts Titus to remind the church in Crete of a few important things to do:

• submit to those in authority
• be obedient
• be ready, be careful to be devoted to do good works
• be kind

….And a few things not to do:

• don’t slander
• avoid fighting
• avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law (very specific arguments)
• reject a divisive person

Why?

• because good works benefit everyone
• because divisive and argumentative pursuits are unprofitable and don’t actually accomplish anything
• because each one of us has been ‘foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another’ at some point in our lives
• because God saved us from the eternal consequences of these problems–He gave us the Holy Spirit, justifies us through Jesus, made us righteous in Him–so we can, and should, live like those with an eternal hope!

Paul wanted the church in Crete to be devoted to doing the good things God planned for them to do. Being His hands and feet and honourable ambassadors for Him. They were stuck in a rut of unprofitable arguments, rebellion and bad behaviour. I’m sure the enemy was rubbing his hateful hands together thinking he had prevented the gospel from spreading in that place. But Paul tells Titus to relay this message: You are redeemed! Don’t pursue these sinful behaviours! Instead, be intentional and devote yourselves to good works!

My focus is to do the Kingdom-building things that God has called me to do and not to let anything turn my attention from that mission. It’s impossible to juggle too many plates (especially ones that aren’t intended to be mine) without a few falling and breaking. I cannot be all things to all people, nor is it remotely possible to please everyone. I should not step ahead of or behind God’s timetable or take on those tasks He doesn’t have for me to do.

I confess that this is a hard lesson for me. I want to please everyone. I want to say yes to all the things. I have so many big visions (but not so much energy!). There is so much need all around me. Someone has to do it, why not me. That’s not to say that I can’t have several tasks to do at the same time. He will equip for that, if that’s what He needs from me. Friend, God’s plans are bigger than mine and so are His resources! Many parts make up the body of Christ. While we all work together toward a common end goal, not every part of the body functions in the same way or is engaged in the exact same day-to-day activities in the execution of reaching that goal. Our lives are different. Our gifts are different. Our cultures are different. But our God is great! And He will accomplish much through us if we yield ourselves to Him and His purpose.

I just need to keep the main thing the main thing.

That is, the main task He has for me. Looking to Him for constant direction. I want to give Him my best, not the leftovers or whatever I can squeeze in.

I need a reminder now and again to stop chasing squirrels, and just keep my eyes on my Master and that which He has planned for me to do.

If that’s you, too, here’s your reminder.

Look for more encouragement here:
https://www.joanneviola.com/2024/10/unity-blessing-life-lets-have-coffee/
https://www.gracefilledmoments.me/2024/09/30/note-to-friends-sweet-tea-friends-october-2024-link-up/
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2024/10/shelter-from-storm-tell-his-story.html
https://lynnjsimpson.com/a-time-for-grace/