They vie for your attention. You cannot give it to them.
It is an episode often referred to when looking at Nehemiah's life. That episode is how he was enticed to leave his work to deal with distractions deliberately set up by his opponents. Some of those who opposed him were some of his own kinsmen. He was wise to the tactic, though, and reinforced the will to crack on with the priority.
I can get distracted. Some of the things that vie for my attention are sincere and well-meaning. Others would consider them to be reasonable in demanding attention from me. That’s for others to say from their perspective. It’s for me to understand from my perspective if it is the case that I should divert energy to it. That word is crucial - divert. That means that what was referring to the attention is no longer getting as much of me as before. In my life, what’s happened is that if I attend to one thing, then another thing that’s reasonable to attend to will crop up, and before I know it, the real thrust and focus and the central core of action and activity will be severely depleted. Sure, other things might have received attention for all the good it does them, but that central core activity that should define who I am will be neglected.
When that happens, I go about with recriminations and remorse until I’m reminded that God only seeks repentance. Turning again to Him and switching all my attention to what He has called me to do for His honour and glory. I am not the everyman; I’m not the one called to fill the gap or attend to those areas. No. That’s not me. I am called to be and do all that pleases the One who has called me. He leaves me in no doubt about the nature of that, especially when I listen carefully and wait attentively.
Thriving depends on abiding in Christ, and abiding in Christ leads to fruit-bearing for Him, so this will help with the call to focus. Focus is placed solely on Him and what He calls for in the given situation, so that should help to ward off that which vies for attention and diverts the energy from what is His to what’s not the priority as far as He’s concerned.
There’s an element of that that has inspired these reflections and journals on the journey. On reflection, I’ve been too easily diverting attention recently, and I really desire to repent and walk with Him on this journey along the paths He’s set with the steps He’s ordered.
It’s an honour and delight to follow Him, and as He leads me, I know I won’t stray. So, being prone to wonder is an issue addressed by fixing the gaze on Him and, once more, knowing that this walk requires focus.
For His Name's Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
