This post is about distractions. When I asked God what to write about this month, this is the idea that came to me. Most likely because I’ve been completely distracted lately.

Growing up, the adjective used most to describe me by my friends was “weird.” I heard it almost daily, “Ha ha! You’re so weird.” It never bothered me. I heard it so often that I just assumed that everybody everywhere referred to their friends as weird if they said something silly. The reason I assumed that was because weird people often don’t see themselves as weird. Since people called me weird all the time, I just guessed it was an over-used adjective. Until one day my eyes were opened.

In my mid-twenties I had a conversation that was enlightening. It went like this:

Me: “Isn’t it so funny that everyone calls everyone weird? I mean the very definition implies unique or strange. So it’s ironic that EVERYONE is ‘weird’.”

Friend #1 “I’ve never been called weird in my life.”

Friend #2 “Me neither.”

Friend #3 “Nope, me neither.”

Friend #4 “I’ve gotten ‘crazy’ several times, but never weird.”

It hit me in that moment. Not everyone gets called weird? Oh…….no….. Oh no! Am I one of those weirdos that doesn’t know it?! Good God, do people cringe because I’m a little off, but smile politely?! Am I the creepy sort of weird or the quirky fun type?!

I have since decided (and am sticking to it) that I’m the quirky fun type. Closer to Phoebe from Friends. And when my husband calls me his little weirdo, I take it as a compliment. So this month I haven’t been distracted with “normal” things. Not too much tv or hanging out with friends so much that there’s no time for Jesus or over-booking my schedule. Though it’s a challenge for me, I’ve been getting better at discipling my time to focus on Jesus because I know he is the source of life. But this month Jesus was not invited. I did not abide in the vine. I have been completely distracted and OBSESSED with learning about canine nutrition. Hours. Often up to five hours a day after work reading articles from holistic veterinarians, canine nutritionists, and passionate bloggers. My husband went away on a fishing trip and I purposed to spend some focused quality time with Jesus which went completely out the window. I had such a hard time focusing and quieting my heart because I had allowed my focus to shift so often and so thoroughly. This is about how it went when I tried to focus my mind on God: “Jesus, you can do anything through your trust in the Father. You fed the 5000 with just a few loaves and fishes…..fishes…. fish…. fish oil is such a good source of fatty acids for dogs. I wonder what other sources offer omega 3s besides hemp and mussels and if I should alternate different sources to provide variety. I should look that up.” And down the rabbit hole I went again. For four more hours. And then gave Jesus a cursory, “G’Night!”

I’ve said this before but what we focus on is what we magnify in our heart. Sure, learning about canine nutrition is interesting (to me). It’s important and certainly not evil. However, at some point my focus got out of balance. You can feel when things are out of balance. Something feels off or missing. If I don’t feel a connection to Christ, I’m the one that changed my focus, not him. And when he is not my main focus, I’m not connected to what gives life meaning. As 1 Peter 5:8 says, it becomes MUCH easier for the enemy to introduce worry and anxiety into my life if my focus is not on God.

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6 ESV).

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me (John 15:4 ESV).

My son, stay focused; listen to the wisdom I have gained; give attention to what I have learned about life So you may be able to make sensible judgments and speak with knowledge (Proverbs 5 1-2 Voice).

The word of God and connection with its author is spirit and life. I’m still learning the discipline of making that my main focus. Luckily, God says he’ll never leave or forsake me. So if my focus wanders afar, I don’t have to go searching for him. When I feel far from God, I know through his word that feeling is not truth. I change my focus. I just turn around and he’s right there. Life can get busy, fun, anxious, and crazy. But through it all, make it a goal to be intentional with your focus.

The words of Jesus in Mark 4 sum it up best: The farmer sows the word. ¹⁵ Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. ¹⁶ Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. ¹⁷ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ¹⁸ Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹ but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²⁰ Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

Four different soils (hearts) had the same seed sown but only one produced fruit. How much spiritual fruit we bear in our lives and how much life and peace we walk in is up to us. What we focus on, is what we’ll experience.

A Part of Renewing Your Mind:

• Realize that what you focus on most is what becomes important to your heart.
• Be intentional to take time to turn your focus to God and the things of the spirit every day. Make time for what matters.