Are you easily distracted? Did you hear me?
I remember visiting a farm one time where the farmer was plowing his field the “old fashioned” way with a manual plow being pulled by a horse. The horse was wearing a contraption on its head that had small sun-visor-type things on the outside of both eyes. Also, it is not unusual to see horses wearing these in Amish country as they whisk their owners around town in their buggies.
This device for horses is called “blinders”. It does not, of course, completely blind the horse but keeps it from being distracted by stuff that may happen in the peripheral non-focus zone. It helps keep the horse on task by looking straight ahead, ignoring the potential job interrupters.
Sometimes the distractions are small – even insignificant. (i.e. rabbit scampering, piece of trash blowing by) But sometimes the distractions are dangerous (i.e. car being driven carelessly, fire nearby) Either way, the blinders help the horse ignore the distractions and stay on task.
Sometimes I feel like I need to wear blinders in my day-to-day life. I want to stay focused on God and His ways but, if not careful, I can be easily distracted by stuff around me. The world wants to pull me away from the “straight & narrow” and see me crash and burn in a pile of immorality and decay. Our culture presents a constant barrage of financial, sexual and narcissistic (self-centered) enticements. Let’s face it. Ours is a very fallen world!
But along comes God’s Word to the rescue!
God gives some terrific “blinders” to wear as we walk through life. Here are just a few:
“Finally brethren, whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely…dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8
“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:7-8
“Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2
I can’t get rid of the distractions but by the grace of God I can stay focused on Him.
byf8h 