Students of a large university have a funny way of distracting opposing basketball teams during free throw attempts. They place a “curtain of distraction” beneath the basket in plain view of players on the opposing team. Just prior to shot attempts, the students open the curtain to reveal something unusual like dancing unicorns, a purple-haired “grandma” waving a cane, or a lion wearing a tutu. Recently it was US Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, wearing his gold medals while pretending to swim.
The player missed both free throws.
A curtain of distraction may be entertaining, but there’s a serious “curtain” in our lives. What interesting thing does Satan use to distract us from our goal? It could be a cell phone that sucks up all our time, a friend who’s leading us away from Jesus, or a job that promises to give us everything if we give everything to it. Do family or friends say we’ve changed? The curtain of distraction may have caused us to take our eyes off the goal.
Paul says it’s not just good things—in his case being a zealous Jew—that can distract us from Christ (Philippians 3:5-8). It can also be the bad mistakes we’ve made. Are you weary of Satan pulling back the curtain to reveal a sin from your past? It could be an arrogant moment or unkind word, a bald lie or sexual sin. The memory is whistling, waving its hands, and wearing a tutu.
While the evil one wants to distract you, the Holy Spirit is there to remind you that your past sins have been forgiven. Thank God for His grace. Then, “forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, press on to . . . receive the heavenly prize” (Philippians 3:13-14). Raise your eyes to Him today!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 27:1-40
More:
Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-27. How can we sharpen our focus on Jesus?
Next:
What’s your biggest distraction as you strive to follow Jesus? What can you do right now to refocus on Him?
Gary Shultz on January 17, 2017 at 5:53 am
Hi Mike: Welcome to curtain country, a district of distraction, way bellow the goal. We seem to be in a continual game of wack-a-mole with sin. Yes we, at least I, have the big chokers that have rubbed us raw over our lives, but when we think we have a big distraction covered, just as you said, another pops up on the curtain of life. That should be part this “life walk” on earth, guarding our minds, checking our soul. A distraction by definition would seem only to be valid when we allow our “gaze”, our focus to be attracted by the curtain. The strange part is when we pull our eyes off the goal we usually grab and add to the curtain itself. I am amused as some think that every temptation comes directly from Satan. We have a large toy box of distractions that spring from the human factor itself. In sports it may be great grit, in life we need a great God, who gives us a focus way above the curtain. Thanks Mike
Mike Wittmer on January 17, 2017 at 10:49 am
Gary, you’re right about Satan. He can only be in one place at one time, and I doubt he himself has directly tempted me. James 1:14 says “each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” I am sadly adept at distracting myself. Today I’m thanking God for His forgiveness, which is new every morning.
don777 on January 17, 2017 at 6:16 am
Oh what what a balance, We are to be in this world but not f this world. Help me Lord to keep you the center/foundation of my life. Not to get so focus on work or what ever that you start to fade. Please Lord renew my spirit through your Word & Spirit, everyday. Oh how I need a Savor every day. Save me from myself, Me myself & I. I must decrease that You Lord will increase.
gagirllive on January 17, 2017 at 7:21 am
Hi, Mike. In Paul’s proclamation of focusing on “one thing”, I’m reminded of David’s use of the same words in Psalm 27: 4—“One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple.” I believe that to be the best antidote to distraction—gazing upon Christ and glancing at anything else that would distract. Sounds like the best spiritual answer and simple enough, doesn’t it? In reality, it’s a fight. I wake up with this mindset and consecrate myself to this end, but throughout the day those blaring curtains come down all in my face. What’s a Christian to do? For me, it’s a continuous and conscience effort to “turn my eyes upon Jesus—look full in His wonderful face—and the things of earth will grow strangely dim—in the light of His glory and grace.” The Holy Spirit is a wonderful Reminder to make me aware of where my gaze is. He is also the Power behind all of my effort to turn away from distractions. But I still have to make the CHOICE to refocus. Sometimes I hear Him say like that actor in the movie, Captain Phillips, “Look at me; look at me…I’m the Captain now.” I, for one, often need that kind of snap-your-finger in my face action. Like in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s book, The Great Stone Face, I understand how it is that we bear the image of what we gaze upon. May it always be Christ. Thanks for blessing us with this devo, Mike. Praying today that we’ll only have eyes for Him. Grace and peace, everyone.
Mike Wittmer on January 17, 2017 at 10:52 am
I think you hit on the key, gagirllive. Where we look is what we give our attention to. When I begin my day by attending to Jesus, I am much more focused on Him throughout the day. What we see depends on where we look. Let’s look to Jesus, the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Tom Felten on January 17, 2017 at 9:31 am
MIke, thanks for the important point that even “good things” can become distractions to the mission and life God has for us. I’m the type of person who enjoys taking things on . . . and on . . . and on. The sad reality is, however, that sometimes the more I take on the less each task is finished well. Oh for the wisdom to choose what’s best as the Holy Spirit leads and empowers!
Monica Brands on January 17, 2017 at 10:50 am
Thanks for this encouraging word, Mike. I think I’m plagued by both “distractions” – wanting to take on more than what God is leading me to do, and being weighed down by regrets/guilt instead of accepting God’s forgiveness and healing, so this was a needed message. Your devotional is a beautiful picture of instead of getting lost in ourselves and what could distract us being caught up in something outside ourselves–a relationship of growing with God and being a part of His mission.
hsnpoor on January 17, 2017 at 12:21 pm
For whatever reason, this devotion brought to my mind Peter’s miraculous stroll on water that was rudely interrupted when he took his focus off Jesus and put it on the wind, at which point he promptly began to sink. I then thought, if Peter had trouble maintaining focus, what chance do we have? And I got an answer straight from THE answer, who’s name is the Holy Spirit of God. That’s our chance. What I don’t have an answer for is why we allow the mistakes of our past and fear of the unknown future curtail us from walking in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our present here and now. God help us to truly walk by faith and not by sight, that we may live a life that is pleasing, honoring and glorifying to who you are.
Monica Brands on January 17, 2017 at 2:19 pm
Oh I love that connection with the Peter story! And I actually think the gospels make much of Peter’s flaws in part so we can relate to him; we’re all Peter and we all stand only through God’s power.