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*Remember when your TV program was cut into for an emergency broadcast… then after a few minutes they would announce NOW BACK TO YOUR REGULAR SCHEDULED PROGRAM….

 

I hope you have had some time to unplug, to get somewhat recharged and back in tune with yourself.

 

BUT WE MIGHT FIND OURSELF THROWN BACK INTO A LIFE OF DISTRACTION! 

 

 

 

 

SOME STATISTICS

The average worker wastes 60 hours every month due to workplace distractions

A third of employees are distracted at work for a total of up to three hours a day

56 Interruptions a day for the average employee

80% of interruptions at work are considered trivial

60% or less of work time is actually spent productively. Interruptions cause employees to take 27% more time to complete a task, commit up to twice as many errors and experience twice the anxiety.

 

lost work is costing American businesses upward of $650 billion per year, and it is leading to vicious cycles of employee dissatisfaction: 

 

Distracted driving in the United States costs approximately $175 billion a year,

Distracted driving on average kills 3500 people a year,

Causing over 400,000 injuries 

 

 

 

BUT THE BIGGEST COST OF DISTRACTION MIGHT BE…

*Distracted just by not hearing his voice can cost us eternal consequences and others lives depend on it. 

 

 

1 Thess. 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

 

What does this mean truly?

Pray - be in tune with Jesus

In all circumstance - be ready at all times!

For this is the will of God - His will is for us not to live distracted.

 

Mary and Martha - Luke 10:38-42 – “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (NKJ)

 

Her distraction was identified by Jesus as anxiety. 

   -  She was worrying about serving. 

   -  Anxious about feeding everyone, 

  -  Anxious about what everyone would think of her and her     household if she didn’t do it well.

   -   Distracted by others expectations

   -  Distracted by outside influences (people from outside her home were coming) 

 

 

What was the opposite of Martha? Mary! 

She sat at Jesus feet,

She listened

She enjoyed and found rest in his words and company 

 

 

 

“First, worry distracts us – When you worry, it keeps you from being fruitful. Worry is revealed by whatever stresses you out. It could be your bills, your health, your kids — whatever you fret about on a regular basis. Worry will keep you from serving God [as] you should because worry keeps you from growing in faith. 

 

The Bible says, ‘Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you” (Psalms 55:2). The antidote to worry is trust. Give your worries to God.

 

 

“Second, greed distracts us – Greed can consume our lives and choke out our desire to live for God. I’ve met pastors who let their churches die because they were so busy traveling and speaking just to make more money. The Bible says we do ministry because we’re eager to serve God, not for what we can get out of it (1 Peter 5:2).

 

 

“Third, ‘pleasure of life’ can distract us – We need to maintain a balance. God wants us to have times of rest, including a weekly Sabbath; but is there any chance you’re spending too much time on hobbies? Or on pet projects that have become a hobby? Even overwork can become a ‘pleasure of life’ if you’re doing it because it makes you feel good and gets you praise from others. What is your motive? Are you maintaining a balance between work and recreation? Ask your family [members] and see what they have to say about how you spend your time.”

 

 

Paul writes about the Corinthian church being distracted about what we should eat and drink.

 

The focus is on staying in the presence of Jesus and his keeping his mission at the center of our lives. 

 

 

 

 

1. “Our attention often runs to what’s important to us. So distraction can reveal what we love.”