How Life’s Distractions Take Us On The Wrong Path
Is it just me, or has it become easier to get distracted? Social media and cell phones have replaced the distractions that I used to have when traveling. Before, it was the kids arguing or me trying to follow directions I printed on my computer. No matter what is garnering your attention, I’ve found out that life’s distractions can take us down the wrong path.
A couple of years ago, Joe (my husband) went with some of his friends to play golf. They went to North Myrtle Beach and stayed several days there, enjoying the beautiful weather. When it was time to come home, Joe decided that he would stay there and that I should drive there to meet him for a short vacation. I was more than eager to have a getaway, so I packed my bags and headed out on the seven-hour journey.
I’ve been to the beach before, but it seems like every time that we go, we end up taking a different route. Since I had never driven by myself to the beach from our house, I plugged in the directions on my phone so that it could guide me to my destination. The app told me that I would arrive in North Myrtle Beach at 5:30 pm.
The internet, cell phones, and social media have conditioned us to crave constant interaction. Back before cell phones, I’m sure that listening to the radio would have kept me entertained, but now I need to be connected to someone or feel like I am working. So, I will usually listen to a self-help book or a training call, call my mom, sister, or daughter, or dial up a friend.
After driving for about 1 1/2 hours, I decided to call one of my friends whom I hadn’t talked to in a long time. I wanted to check in with her to see how she was doing. Because I was talking, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was driving. I wasn’t concerned with the directions since I had the app on my phone to tell me when I needed to turn.
So, we laughed and talked for a long time until Joe called to see where I was on the journey. I told him the name of the town that I had just passed through, and he said that he couldn’t remember going through that area before. Hmmm, I wonder why that would be???
I hopped off the phone with him and looked at the app, which said the same thing that it had said before. Wait, shouldn’t my mileage have gotten shorter? I had been driving for at least thirty minutes since the last time that I looked at the app. I pulled off at the next exit and turned off the app. Then I uploaded the app again and put in the directions again. UGH!!! While I was talking on the phone, I had missed a turn and had driven at least thirty minutes out of my way.
I got distracted. A simple phone call distracted me long enough that I was moving away from my intended destination. If I had kept on the same path, I would have only gotten farther and farther away from where I wanted to go.
How many of us are like that when it comes to our faith? We know where we want to go and where we want our final destination to be. But do we let life’s distractions take us on the wrong path?
Psalms 119:33-37
33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
I don’t think that we are the only ones who have struggled with distractions. King David knew a thing or two about how life’s distractions could take you on the wrong path. David got distracted when he saw Bathsheba bathing on a rooftop, which sent him down the wrong path. It led him to trouble, heartache, and away from the Lord.
Even though I had the app to guide me, I let the distraction keep me from following the directions. You can have the Bible on your nightstand or coffee table, but if you let something distract you from its directions, then you can easily veer off the path.
The great thing is that you can “choose” to find a new path so that you can still arrive at your destination. Once I rebooted my app, it gave me new directions to the beach, even if I arrived an hour behind schedule.
You can change always directions. You can choose to turn from the distraction, pick back up THE WORD, and get back on a path. The path will be different, but it can still lead you to your intended destination.
1 Peter 2:25
25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
It is never too late to change the course. The Lord will welcome you back with open arms and point you in a new direction. We just have to be aware of the direction we are headed, and ask for a new path.
To GOD Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
GREAT message Tania.
God Bless!
WOW, what a beautiful testimony & devotion! Thanks, Tania!
so guilty of getting distracted from doing my daily devotional!
Oh, Tania,
I think that is so funny you brought up this subject. Just this past weekend, I, my husband, son and MIL went on a short trip about 3 hours away. When we needed a pit stop, I was supposed to get on my phone and find a nearby RR break area. I did get on my phone, but my emails distracted me, about 15 minutes later when I set my phone down my husband asked if I had found a RR area. Of course, I had forgotten the reason why I had originally gotten on my phone, needless to say, we did get our RR break, but with distractions added in to the mix! Darn phone!
Beautiful! We would be lying to ourselves if we said we never got distracted from God’s words. Thank you for putting this into perspective. Love your messages. So happy Joe called you to check on where we’re in your drive. 😉
Very good read !!!!
This is a wonderful post. I’m going to save it so I can read it often. It’s so inspirational. Thank you.
Have a blessed day.
I truly look forward to your Sunday message! Today’s message was so very good & inspirational✝️
Wonderful words of inspiration! I get side tracked slot. This current world we live in is kind of crazy.
Hi Tania. Hmmm. I just got distracted by reading your text😂
Should be attending to washing all the tablecloths we used at the memorial yesterday. Please continue to distract me with your post and scripture. Time well spent. Thank you for being bold enough to speak about your believes.
You let ur light shine.
Your Sunday messages are always relevant. May I use this as part of a program for Women’s Ministry? I would certainly give you credit.
You can always use any of my posts without having to ask.
Hi Tania, I loved your words of inspiration. I also LOVE Psalms.
Thank you. 👍🏻🎚️👛
I really enjoy your daily posts. I also really enjoy and appreciate your faith filled Sunday posts. They’re written so well, and are such good posts. Thank you for your work and your talents!
Dealing with the issues of aging parents, my husband & I have become a little distracted from our own every day lives over the past couple of months. Thank you for today’s scriptures and message!
Amen! What a blessing to read this today. Went along with what the pastor said at church today 🙏❤️
I delight in how you use your website to not only keep us up to date on trends for the mature woman, but you also point us to the Word.
Thanks, Cynthia. I feel like it is all because of HIM that I have a website, so I try to give HIM all the glory.
Tania, It’s such a pleasure to read your blog (I love all of the stories) and your Sunday messages are so inspirational. You have a great gift with words and I truly appreciate it!
Good afternoon Tania,
Great post today. I am easily distracted and it is a cause of great frustration to me but I always end up on the path I was supposed to take, thanks to Him!
Tania, your insight and sweet presentation of much needed truth in our world is such a blessing. My prayer is that you stay encouraged and know you are appreciated. Have a great week!
Thanks, Glenda. I can always use the encouragement.
Love your Sunday messages. They always give me something I need to think about.
This is me….so easily distracted even if unintentional. Thanks for the reminder. Now, where’s my Bible.
Great reminder! Don’t get distracted. Keep our eyes on the Lord!
I always love your Sunday messages!
Have a blessed week.
I’m going remember Psalm 119:33-37. I need to get back on the right path.
Your Sunday posts are so good & always a much needed message for me!
Thank you…you are an inspiration 💕
Thanks, Tania!!
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” He will show us the way!
Tania! That was the BEST!!! I absolutely love your aunt posts, but this one is so insightful! We all need to take a step back, disconnect and focus on what is truly important…Jesus…Happy Sunday 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
This is so true! When I was younger I chose the wrong path for many years. When I finally changed direction, I could feel the difference in my life. I am so much happier now that I have chosen God’s way instead of my way. Thanks Tania!
Thank you Tania!
This hit so close to home. I travel to Georgia at least monthly and I have done the same thing. I’m so easily distracted, it’s upsetting at times. Your analogy makes it easy to understand.
Thank you so much for sharing, Tania, I enjoy your Sunday readings. Have a blessed day and God bless you.
Great story and illustration of the multiple distractions in life.
thank you!
What a great reminder of all our distractions! I turned off my Facebook because I got to distracted by it. It seems now that God had a plan because when I tried to log in, just to take a peek, it won’t take my password.
Great notation about how easily I can get distracted.
Thank God, I can get new directions from my Master Map Maker.
Have a Wonderful Day 😊
Your devotions are so inspirational I love reading them. Thanks for all you do!
Amen! Wonderful message 😊
Another great Sunday post! Have a blessed week, Tania!
I so enjoy your Sunday devotions
Oh my!!!!!! Yep!!!
Yes, my friends once were driving from south GA to Orlando. They were talking and laughing, and they got almost to Miami! only four hours past where they should’ve turned!
Distractions can get us, thank the Lord, literally, that He will always help us back home.
Oh, goodness! 😆
Thanks for the reminder. I don’t study my Bible like I use to. I let my activities and electronics distract me from what’s important.
You are not alone, Sue.
Amen sister well said
Thanks for the timely reminder! Yes, distractions abound and we easily lose sight of the important things in life!
I always look forward to your Sunday message. This is one of your best for me.
Wow, you’ve been a follower for a long time, I’m surprised this is the one that spoke to you the most.
I loved today’s devotion! So very uplifting. Thanks for all you do.
God bless you🙏
Love how you wove your story with David. As always I enjoyed really your Sunday thoughts.
It is so easy to get lost along any path.
I enjoyed that devotion. Avoiding distractions is key to following the path God has for us.
True, but it is so hard to know they are distractions at the time.
Thank you for this, Tania. Great illustration and application! God bless you!
Tania, thank you for the reminder to keep the faith and follow His Word!
Have a blessed Sunday!
Such a powerful blog today. It’s amazing how we can allow something so simple like taking a phone call take us off our course. Thank you for sharing this powerful yet simple reminder today.
Thank you for sharing your distraction story. It can be a daily concern with all the things going on in our country and world. Focus and redirection on challenges at hand, provide strength and security in God almighty.
Lol, yes guilty. Good analogy. We turn loose of God’s hand and run ahead of Him when all He asks is that we walk with Him. Thanks for reminding me to keep my eyes on Him.
I always look forward to your Sunday posts and read them with my coffee before getting ready for church!
😘 😘 😘
Amen Tania Amen!!! Very well written. Oh….how I have been distracted many times and unfortunately got off on the wrong path. Thank God for his “Amazing Grace” and continuous “Mercy”. God is speaking to me through your Sunday devotions Tania and I thoroughly enjoy reading them. Keep writing these powerful devotions. To God Be The Glory.
~Lisa~
Thanks, Lisa! I’m glad you enjoy my Sunday posts.
Tania
What a great devotional! So very true! I got in a fender bender last week and guess what I was on my phone! So true how we used to be content with the radio but now we’ve kicked it up a notch and need to be talking! I really enjoy your blog and especially Sundays! You do a great job and have lots of insight. I’m sure you have caused lots of woman to think about their spiritual selves. I have been a Christian since I was 18 and I’m 69! But believe you me I can still veer off course so easily! Great reminder today
Be blessed
Linda
Linda, I’m sorry you were in a fender bender. I’ve been close a time or two by being distracted by the phone. Once I ran into the back of my son’s car because I dropped a french fry, so it doesn’t always have to be the phone.
Bless you, my sister!!