I've been feeling so distracted lately. I can't seem to stay concentrated on one thing for very long. My mind wanders to a dozen different things, constantly. I'll start reading something, only to get a phone call, overhear a conversation, remember something else I needed to do, etc. There are so many things grabbing for our attention these days- hundreds of channels on TV, in every room; music on the radio, on our mp3 players, on our computers, also our TV; cell phones with way more features than we need, constantly going off with calls or messages; more books & magazines than we can possible ever get to; endless surfing that can be done on the Internet, and so on. My attention span feels about as long as a 5 year old!
I recently joined a funny group on Facebook called, "I Have ADD And Wanted To Start A Group So That...Hey! Let's Go Ride Bikes!" for those of us easily distracted. Seemed an appropriate group to join! Does this come with age, have I been ingesting too much caffeine, am I trying to juggle too much in my life, or is something else at work? Maybe all of the above...
I have also felt disconnected spiritually lately, not as in tune with God's Spirit as I like to be. My prayer has become random and scatterbrained, and less frequent. I went for my nightly jog the other night, under the bright moon, and when I finished, I just sat down at the end of the driveway for a while, to try to talk to God some. I asked Him, "Father, what's wrong with me? What does my heart need from you?" Rather quickly, He spoke to my heart, "Focus." Yes, I certainly need that. I asked, "What do I do?" He said, "Stay with Me, linger here." I did linger there, for about another 30 minutes. Nothing majestic happened, the skies didn't open up and angels didn't sing, but I just sat in His presence, enjoyed the beautiful moon-lit night, and felt His presence and pleasure, like sitting in my dad's lap as a kid, just enjoying being outside together.
I need to "FOCUS"- be more intentional about my morning prayer and reading time with Him, and meet Him our here every night I can, to commune with Him. I want Him to again be "My One Thing" like Rich Mullins used to sing about. That way, He'll come back into focus in my life.
"Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." John 17:3
Rob