Have you ever wondered why it’s so easy to get distracted by things that don’t really matter?
I sure have.
The latest episode of your favorite TV series. A spotless home. That perfect Instagram photo. The number of likes on Facebook. That one negative comment you just can’t shake.
In the grand scheme of things, we know these things don't matter much, yet they tend to consume our thoughts and time, and oftentimes get in the way of things that really do matter.
And if we dont keep them in check, they can steal our peace and joy.
For example, I know the best thing I can do for myself and my loved ones is spend time with God in His Word and in prayer. I’m just more at peace and easier to get along with when I do.
So why am I so quick to get stuck in social media scroll mode and put other lesser things first?
It’s human nature, I know. God says our flesh is weak and honestly, I think our brains have changed over the last 10 years, thanks to iPhones and social media. It seems our minds have been trained for distractions.
When I thought about what to write for this post, the topic that came to mind was, “Keeping the main thing the main thing,” and the phrase that kept looping in my brain was, “It’s all about Jesus.”
And it really is.
I prayed what’s known as the sinner’s prayer when I was seven years old, asking Jesus to come into my heart and forgive me of my sins, but it was many, many years later until I truly gave my heart to Him. During that in-between space, I knew pain, abuse, addiction, and shame.
It wasn’t until after high school graduation that I really came to know Him and it was only then that I could finally comprehend the significance of what He did for me on the cross.
Sure I had heard the Easter Resurrection story every year at church and knew in my heart that the way I was living wasn’t good, but I was too distracted by other things to deal honestly with my sin and turn away from the things that kept me from Him.
The sad thing was those things didn’t bring me joy or fulfillment, only fleeting moments of pleasure followed by pain and regret. It took sinking to my lowest place to wake up and realize that I needed Jesus more than anyone or anything else.
When I finally met Him - really met him - everything changed! For the first time in my life I felt free and I felt loved unconditionally.
What I’ve learned since then is that it really is all about Jesus.
When I need peace, I go to Jesus because He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
When I need hope, I seek Jesus because He is our hope (Matthew 12:21).
When I need strength, I call upon Him because He promises to be my strength when I am weak (2 Corinthians 12:9).
When I need direction, I go to the Throne of God knowing that it’s because of Jesus that I have access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18).
And when I’ve messed up? I confess my sins to Jesus, for it is His Blood that covers them and makes me brand new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
I don’t know what sort of distractions are keeping you from Jesus. Maybe it’s an overloaded calendar and it’s been a while since you’ve spent time with Him.
Maybe troubles and struggles have caused you to question His love and provision in your life.
Or maybe it’s guilt and shame from past mistakes that have kept you from getting to know Him at all.
Whatever it is, God understands and He loves you. His love for you is unconditional, like nothing you will ever know from people.
It’s not dependent upon your ability to hold it all together, or upon your good works.
His love for you is based on the fact that He IS love. It’s part of His nature, and He doesn’t change. One of the most freeing and motivating truths I learned was that nothing I could do (or not do) would make him love me any more (or any less).
That truth is for you, too.
But I know the distractions of life will try to keep you from intimacy with Him and from walking in the powerful and beautiful promises in His Word. And there are a lot of them!
There’s a lot going on in the world and so much of it is heavy, but let’s remember to keep the main thing the main thing.
It’s all about Jesus.
Because if it wasn’t for His sacrifice on the Cross and His Resurrection then our futures would be bleak. What we see right now would be all there is, and we wouldn’t have the hope of heaven. We would struggle in our fears and failures.
But because of Jesus we have everything we need for this life and beyond. And It is in Him that we will be strengthened in our faith, hope, and peace, no matter what is going on in the world, or what season we are in.
So let’s keep Jesus at the center of it all, because it really is all about Him.
You can connect with Karen on: IG or her Blog and grab a copy of her 21 day devotional “Breath of Life: Living God’s Promise of Peace in the 7 Dimensions of Wellness” on Amazon
Karen’s first children’s book “Guess How Much God Loves You” is soon to be released through Ambassador International.
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