Squirrel Moments

Dear Meeting Point Ladies,

I pray that God will bless you in some way through this week’s Meeting Point message. Blessings to you, Linda

Distracted – Dictionary.com has two definitions: 1. Having the attention diverted. 2. Rendered incapable of behaving, reacting, etc., in a normal manner, as by worry, remorse, or the like; irrational; disturbed.

I don’t know about you, but I am finding myself more and more distracted. I hate to blame it on technology, but I do believe that the interruptions of messages that come into our phones, computers, and watches have added to this greatly. It is so easy for me to have good intentions to complete one task and then have something that distracts me, and I find myself off on another tangent. Just a moment ago I was reading one message to my husband when another message came right over the top of it. That is hard to ignore! When this type of distraction occurs, it seems that I only complete parts and pieces and seldom complete anything with attention to detail. Example; in mid-sentence of the first message, I switched and read the new message that came in as it was a response that we had been waiting for. In this era of distraction, I also find that I waste a great deal of time on this fragmented “style” of work. My family has a name for this type of distraction that moves us from one task to another. We call it our “squirrel” moments. My husband or children catch me at it, or I catch them. We simply say, “squirrel,” which is typically followed by laughter from all of us, and then an attempt to refocus.

Photographer Edwin Andrews, September 10, 2016 free domain @ Pexels

I’m sure that I am not the only one who suffers from “squirrel” moments. While they certainly are a cause for less productivity, they typically are not harmful – or are they? Not only do my moments of distraction occur while working around the house, but I also sometimes struggle with them at work. I’m sure that we have all experienced reading an email that then changed our direction and took us off task and onto a different path from what was intended.  Sometimes these unexpected detours consume a great deal of our time.  What about “squirrel” moments that hinder my walk with God? Distraction that overshadows a God centered focus can happen both at home, and sad to say, even during a formal worship service. Sometimes our full schedules are difficult to shelve as we go to and from one activity to another. While we know that we should leave work at work, many times stress – whether personal or work related, has a tendency to pack its own bag and follow us. I find myself in this struggle way too often and find myself crying out to the Lord to help me quiet my wondering, restless soul.  What can we learn from scripture when we struggle with distracting “squirrel” moments?

Bow before Him

One way to refocus is to bow before him, whether literally or in spirit through humble adoration. Psalm 95:6-7 (ESV) “O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker: For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.“

Cry out before Him

Psalm 102:1-2 “Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you! Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!”

 Find a place for undisturbed wonder of our God. Whether on a porch swing, in the quiet of your bedroom, reciting scripture or praying on a path through the woods, find a “prayer closet” that will help you focus on God’s word and prayer time. Matthew 6:6 “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Photo by Linda Moehring, July 26, 2019

 Praise the Lord

How many times have you read scripture out loud in your own home or sanctuary of quiet? We each find our own way, but I find that hearing my voice lift praises to God helps me to focus. The Bible is full of verses of praise. Psalm 134 is one of the Songs of Ascents. It is a call to worship that the people of Israel collectively recited on their way back to Jerusalem after their release from Babylonian captivity. At this point Nehemiah had led the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Israelites had been commanded to come back and worship. Stand and rejoice as they and you and I return to worship our God in spirit and truth. Psalm 134: 1-3 “Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD! Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD! May the LORD bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!”

Maybe our offering today is to quietly, humbly come before his throne, praising God for who he is. 1 Chronicles 16:29 “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due unto his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;”

Sing

Psalm 101: 1-3 “A song of David. I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music. I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house. I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.”

Yes, even David had many times when the worries of his life took his attention away from loving his Lord. Yet according to Psalm 101: 1 he could bring his attention back to God by singing of God’s steadfast love.

I know that I need help finding clarity in my “squirrel” moments of distraction, and I’m guessing many of you could use this help too. Whether we bow, cry out to Him, find a place of quiet, praise, or sing, the most important step is that we come.

Dear Father, Forgive me when my focus is not on you in the way it should be. Help me to quiet my soul that I might come before you to worship you with an undivided heart.  In your strength I ask that you bind the enemy that steals my thoughts and I ask that you help me to clearly hear you as you speak to me through your Word. Thank you that you are mightier than any distraction. Help me to worship you in heart, soul and mind. In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen

Have a wonderful, God focused week.

Linda