40 Days of Focus, 33 Days of Missing the Point

I have spent the last 33 days off social media yet on most of those days, my prayer life didn’t increase.

I have eliminated the distraction of aimless scrolling, only to find it didn’t increase my time in the ancient scrolls of scripture.

Today I finally had enough.

I sat in the still of the morning.

I repented.

I prayed.

I listened.

And I heard.

These hearts are prone to wander.

Our default is distraction.

I found it surprising that eliminating what I thought was the most distracting and time-stealing thing in my life, didn’t solve the problem of this preoccupied heart.

It didn’t help me focus on better things— at least not consistently.

What I discovered was new distractions.

Distractions I wouldn’t be judged for, in fact, it’d be just the opposite. If I were to share the course of these days of social media, I’m sure I’d be applauded!

• I got more work done— “You’re a beast! That’s so good!” They’d say.

• I cleaned and organized our house— “You’re such a good wife and mom.” They’d say.

• I watched two documentaries— “Ooo, what’d you watch? Good for you for having some “me” time! You deserve it!” They’d say.

• I spent time catching up with friends— “We all need community! So glad you got to connect with others.” They’d say.

I was more present in my everyday life, but I didn’t increase my time where it mattered most…in God’s presence.

Still.

Quiet.

With Him.

His Word

His Spirit.

The most valuable thing I could have done was spend time with Him.

The most valuable place I could have been was with Him.

And it took me 33 days to sit long enough to realize I’ve been doing secondary, tertiary and beyond things.

Those drive-by and routine prayers? Yes, I meant them and sure I’d pause for a minute or two when a dire situation arose, but sitting unhurried, everyday? Who has the time?

Flee and Pursue

As I sat quietly this morning, finally still and listening, I realized something about the 5-week sermon series we just finished at church called, Victory.

We’ve studied and broken down 2 Timothy 2:22,

“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Week after week I’ve taken notes thinking, “this will be good to store up for future use.” But today, two days after the conclusion of the series, I’m realizing the truths found in this verse and in these sermons weren’t for my future, they’re for every single day.

With 40 Days of Focused, I did the first part of fleeing, but I neglected the second part of pursuing.

Ok, maybe not entirely, I did make a list of things to pursue like:

• maintaining healthy margins in my day

• walking and working out

• spending time with my kids

• date nights with my husband

• reading books

And I absolutely listed, “read the Bible everyday” and “have dedicated prayer time” as daily goals to pursue, but the track record for those things turned out to be in my top three least accomplished goals.

They landed second and third only to the number one least accomplished goal of drinking 40oz of water a day.

It’s the irony of the parallel for me…

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. -John 4:13-14

Here I am, neglecting both the water my body needs and the Living Water my soul craves. Ya girl is over here distracted AND dehydrated.

In the Morning When I Rise…

"In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly." -Psalm 5:3

Whether you’re a night owl or a morning person, early morning is indeed the best option.

I remember talking with a woman probably 15 years ago at this point, I was sharing with her how much I struggle with waking up early to spend time with Jesus.

She responded, “Are you up at midnight?”

I said, “Yes, I am, just about everyday.”

She said, “Well that’s early morning too!”

And she’s right.

Whether it’s midnight or 5am, early morning is not that difficult to accomplish on one end of the day or the other.

If you’re a night owl, pick midnight.

If you’re a morning person, pick 5 or 6am.

It’s between these hours the world is quieter.

No one is calling, texting, or coming over.
If you have children, they’re typically asleep.

Side note: Moms of newborns and folks who work third shift, just ignore this whole section, k? :)

The point is, between these hours, for many of us, things are still and quiet. David understood this truth when he wrote:

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." -Psalm 143:8

But at Night…

If you consider yourself a night owl like me, you have probably said, felt, or believed many of these statements.

I’ve often told myself that at night…

• is when I get my most creative ideas!

• is when I get the most done!

• I think the most clearly!

• is my best time of day!

These are excuses I’ve believed many times, for decades, in fact.

But as I sit here, finally still…finally listening…with a meager 6 days left of this challenge, I hear Holy Spirit saying…

“So why not give Me your best?”

…

And with that, I’m DONE.

I meeeean just cooked!

But I’m committing to slow down and pay more attention, not just for the last days of this challenge, but as an everyday pursuit, for His presence and His word is as essential to us as water.

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Let’s Discuss

Me trying to do life without Him…

This hurt, didn’t it?!

I know…let’s discuss in the comments:

• Did any of my experience resonate with you? What part(s)?

• How do you know when you’re distracted or spiritually dehydrated?

• Anything you’ve found practically useful in helping you refocus and spend more time with God?