Once when Aaron was about 5 or 6 he was sitting on the couch beside his Dad playing with a handheld computer game. Robert was playing with him and picking at him, trying to tickle him as most of us do with someone else from time to time. Aaron, however, was having no part of it because he was focused intently on his game. Then again, Robert wasn't going to give up easily either. He continued to try and tickle his feet, or poke his ribs, or tickle him behind his ear --just anything to Aaron's attention. Finally after several attempts, Aaron said "Quit Dad! You're subtracting me."
I think about this moment whenever I have allowed myself to get distracted from my job and then ended being buried in a pile of paperwork. I also think about this sometimes when I realize that I have allowed myself to be pulled away from the Lord. We get so caught up in the busy-ness of life that sometimes we lose our focus on what is really important (serving Christ our Savior). Distraction is one of the devil's favorite tools. If he can keep us distracted long enough, then we are eventually pulled so far off the path of Light we don't even think about it anymore and it no longer bothers us. And --oh ho, is the devil happy then! Do not let that happen to you!
For many of us, we hit the floor running every morning. We run from work to home to the store to this ballgame or that music lesson and then back home again. The next day it starts all over again. We experience very little down time. It is very easy to get distracted; for instance to go, go, go all day long and then by the time we lay our head on our pillow at night we are too tired even to say "Thank you, Lord for getting me through the day." Guess who wins that victory?
Now think about how Aaron put it. His Dad finally distracted him and broke his concentration on playing the game. But Aaron said he was subtracted. Isn't that true though? When we allow ourselves to lose our spiritual focus, then we are subtracted because we are less than we could be for the Lord. Most of us think of the story of Peter walking on water when we think of distraction or losing our focus. I believe that event was recorded in God's Word for just this reason. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus - he subtracted himself right into the water didn't he? And only when he cried out for the Lord to rescue him, did Jesus reach out to help him. (Matthew 14:30-31)
Peter's escapade was not the only time in the scriptures that we are warned against distractions. Think about the parable of the sower when the seed fell among the thorns. Jesus tells us in Matthew 13:22 - "He also that received seed among the thorns is the that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." We have seen this happen haven't we? We have seen people leave the church because they became entangled in the cares of the world. They allowed themselves to be subtracted --actually subtracted right out of the Book of Life! Remember Demas? Paul said he had forsaken him, "having loved this present world." (2 Timothy 4:10)
Let's consider at least a couple of more examples. David was distracted when he spotted Bathsheba bathing on her roof. Being distracted by her great beauty, he allowed himself to be subtracted and committed adultery with her. Now that was certainly being less-- much less-- than he could have been for the Lord. Lot allowed himself to be distracted by the plain of Jordan because it was "well watered everywhere" and "pitched his tent toward Sodom." (Genesis 13:10,12). We all remember how that worked out.
There are probably many more scriptures and Biblical examples of persons allowing themselves to be distracted by one thing or another thus "subtracting" themselves from the work of the Lord.
Now think of a few people who kept--or lost but re-gained--their focus and dedication to God. Noah -- found grace in the eyes of the Lord; Abraham --was called the friend of God; Job -- the Lord gave him twice as much as he had before his calamities; Moses --was referred to as the meekest man on earth; Joshua and Caleb who never lost their faith or focus on reaching the Holy Land; Peter --denied his Lord but then preached the first gospel sermon and served the Lord all his life; Mary, the mother of Jesus --found favor with the Lord, or Zacharias and Elizabeth who were both righteous before God, or Paul - who persecuted the church and then became the apostle to the Gentiles. Oh --I see I am rambling....we could go on and on --the point is that all IF all these people managed to hold on to their faith and remain focused on God, then we can too! They were just people ---just ordinary people whom God used in a mighty way. He can use you too - if you don't let yourself get distracted.
What might help us keep this focus? First of all, make it a habit to block out some time just for the two of you - you and God.
Psalms 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God.." understand He is your creator and He is all powerful.
Thess. 5:17 -- "Pray without ceasing." Talk to Him. He is your Heavenly Father. He loves you and He loves to hear from you.
I Peter 5:7 --"Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you." Give Him your burdens and your cares. Let Him guide you throughout the day
II Timothy 2:15 -"Study to show yourself approved unto God..." -Study the scriptures. Let them become a part of you who are. If the scriptures become ingrained in our minds and our hearts we will be much more prepared to face the day and to handle all that the world throws at us.
Ephesians 4:32 - "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind." Allow your study and your prayer to change your perspective from a focus on worldy things to concentrate on spiritual matters.
I am reminded of the little children's song, which I may have metnioned before, 'Read your Bible and pray every day, pray every day, pray every day. Read your Bible and pray every day and you'll grow, grow, grow!!
Nothing will make you feel better than getting to know your God through prayer and Bible study. The more you pray - the more you want to pray and pretty soon you'll find yourself talking to Him throughout the day; like when you drop a glass while washing dishes and it doesn't break or when you finally find the keys you've been looking for the past ten minutes and you stop and say, "Whew! Thank you, Lord." I promise you it will be worth it.
Learning God's word will help you understand His love for you. Praying - or talking to Him will bring you closer to him.
God wants you and needs you, but He needs you at your best. He doesn't need a "subtracted" servant. SO the next time you feel the devil tugging at your sleeve or trying to pull your attention away from the Lord, tell him, "Stop! You're subracting me." Then run to God as quickly as you can! He will be there waiting.
Christ above all things,
Robin
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