The Distracted Life

Do you live a distracted life? I know I do. More than ever I’m finding my schedule can pull me in many directions, and my attention is being tugged at nonstop.

For 2019, the average time people spend on social media daily is 116 minutes. From cloud based video services to TV on demand with endless channels, there are more distractions than ever. I remember in college I had a goal to own 100 CDs and now with streaming music, our music libraries are greater than the time we have to listen to what’s available. With all this tug of attention, I am finding a greater need to pause, focus, and pray. Psalm 46:10 makes it clear to “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” How am I honoring God with my time?

I confess, I am not being still enough. However, prayer is helping me be less distracted and pay attention to God and listen to the needs of others. Since January of this year, I have made “prayer” my word for the year. Little did I know how it would impact those close to me.

It was 9:09 p.m. and my phone received a text message from a pastor friend. “I’m at the hospital and I have some issues with my heart; they are admitting me for a stress test because my EKG showed some issues relating to the mechanical firing of my heart. I covet your prayers.” Immediately, I paused and prayed for my dear friend. The next morning I texted him saying that I was praying for him at that very moment.

Surrendering to God my prayers for my friend, I began to trust in faith for God to meet him at his point of need. Waiting and trusting is hard. In those long pause moments God is at work and we wait to see all He is up to. Then two days later he texted me an update: “Everything looked good on the test. Thanks for the prayers. I really appreciate it.” I replied: “GLORY!!!!! Thank you Jesus!”

As I write this, I am in a season of extra prayer for my wife—as she is searching for a new job. At home, I have a prayer chair where I go to focus my heart and mind. One evening, I sat down and began to pray for my wife. Tears began to flow. My heart was overwhelmed. Then I sensed a comforting response from the Lord: “I already have it figured out.” I wanted to know even more so I prayed harder, asking for clarity and hoping to hear a plan revealed. But nothing. Just another comforting whisper: “I already have it figured out.” We can rejoice because He already knows what we cannot see. We don’t need to know it all, we just need to focus on Him.

Prayer is the tool God uses in my life to help me slow down and focus on Him. Psalm 91:14-15 says, “Because he has focused his love on me, I will deliver him. I will protect him because he knows my name. When he calls out to me, I will answer him. I will be with him in his distress. I will deliver him, and I will honor him.” Dear Lord, help me be focused on You through prayer, because You matter most.~Tim DeTellis