Luke 9:51, When the time came for Him to be received up, He was steadfastly set to go to Jerusalem.
Distraction is something we all deal with. You may remember having a dream, calling, or perhaps an inkling of what God created you to do. Then along came jobs, bills, dental appointments, and everything in between. Before you know it, you’re just trying to make it to bedtime so you can get some sleep, get up, and do it all over again.
But if we could separate ourselves from all the distractions and focus on what really matters? Can you think of the last time you gave your complete and undivided attention to something important, laying aside all distractions?
When the time came for Jesus to begin His journey to the cross, He didn’t allow any distractions to stop Him. The cross was His God-given task, and He would have nothing to do with any attempts to alter His course. When Peter dared to chastise Jesus for speaking of His death, Jesus stopped him short, “Get, behind me, Satan,” He demanded. Peter was being a hinderance to what had to take place (Matthew 16:23, But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things that are of God, but those that are of men”). Jesus was on His way to the cross, and He would not be distracted.
Do you have that kind of commitment to God’s will? Are you faithful in the easy times but a bit more distracted when things get tough or even just busy? When you’re beset by distraction, ask yourself one question: What are you focusing on? Or, more importantly, what God-glorifying things are you being distracted from? Let go of anything that is not leading you straight to the cross and the hope it holds.
