Distractions have brought me into collisions with other cars on the road. Distractions have brought me into conflict with others. Distraction has impacted me and those around me in so many ways. Forgotten birthdays, forgotten item from the trip to the store and bringing home items not on the list. Sometimes distractions are necessary and even funny! I'm happy when others are not distracted and things seem to flow well. Distractions can cost plenty when we talk about relationships. Missed cues can be very frustrating as we are expected to understand the cue and engage.
My problem with distractions is usually focused on how distracted others are when I'm engaged with them. Take for example the "deer in the headlights" look. Talk all I want; no one is home to hear. Others distraction have been the cause of being late more times than I like to remember. Even if makes little difference, distractions irritate you and I in so many ways. We have expectations of others and of organizations to be engaged as they deal with us. I am appalled at the number of highly educated professionals who are distracted in what they do. Even if they have "done this 1000 times before" there is the very likely chance their distraction will negatively impact me. We don't want doctors and the like to be distracted at all!
One area in my life where I can be distracted is when I am driving. This can lead dangerous situations to come about and potentially put others lives at risk. Getting so locked in on something (no distraction) can unintentionally bring about problems with those around me (distraction). The dilemma is finding a good balance and then doing our best to deal with the larger picture. How do we do that? Why would we want to change our behavior and attitude? What would happen if we weren't distracted?
With the Christian distraction can be just as positive and negative as for the non-Christian. No one is immune from distraction and it's results. God wants us to be positively distracted so that we can hear his voice amongst the clamor of the day. Sorry for the delay I was just distracted by an incoming email. See how easy this distraction thing is?! Businesses and corporations are intent on distracting us from anyone else's product, image and costs to name a few. Competition is a very necessary component of distracting us from where we are focused.
I'm reminded of an excuse from a comedian long ago. He said, "The devil made me do it!" It's not like blame didn't exist before he said it; it's more like blame can off load onto someone or something else if we need the excuse. Blame is formed in our minds before we can even think about making excuses. Blame is the world's best way of bring us to distraction from personal responsibility. When this is complete we either have compromised our integrity or permanently created a chasm between ourselves and the object of distraction.
In the end, we are left with the knowledge that we have been distracted and may have even created the distraction. Why would we do that? One reason we create distractions is so that people won't notice something else...like our sin. Here is the most prevalent reason we consciously distract others. This includes our friends, family and employers. It includes our activities at the baseball field and the church alike. If we are able to distract then we can "get away" with whatever we are engaging in. Rationalization and justification are two very strong elements involved in our distracting others. However, we don't "get away" with anything. We may think we have pulled the wool over their eyes. We may think we have been able to get away with our actions, thoughts and words. Boy are we distracted from the truth.
So what are we to do? How can we stop a behavior that drives the very world around us? What can be done to help others to stop being distracted when dealing with us? Like most things people are just as distracted as they see our distraction. Statistics show that it takes 14 days to form a habit and consequently 14 days to break a habit. The first step in dealing with distraction is to take the lead and turn each moment of each day over to God. That would mean consciously asking God for his intervention through our day. When we have failed, ask for forgiveness and start over again. When we do so people will notice the changes taking place in our lives. Perhaps they will change as well. Be honest with yourself and examine the "Why?" of our distraction.
Please understand that some distractions are good. When we are open to God's directing us to do his will, we will be distracted from sinning. Hmm...seems like a good thing. Perhaps we can begin here and let God take us where he will. Just for today I will be distracted by no one but God. Not a bad ending to take with us.
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