Devotion Distractions

Devotion Distractions

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.

— Isaiah 50:7

The other morning after Carolyn and Dana got me dressed and up in my wheelchair, we had our usual Bible reading together. We had just finished a hymn, our devotions, and were in the middle of praying by my bedroom bay window. I occasionally pray with my eyes open and on this particular morning, my gaze fell upon a huge spider crawling toward Carolyn. Without thinking, I gasped. My friends opened their eyes, and when they saw how big the spider was, we three screamed out loud together.

Dana took off her shoe to smack it, Carolyn raced for tissue paper, and I kept my eye on the intruder so it wouldn’t vanish under the bay window cushion. Seconds later, the spider was history. After the kafuffle, we had the hardest time remembering where we were in our prayers, what hymn we sang, and which part of the Bible we read. Our minds were blank slates. We had forgotten all about our time with God! It was a useful lesson on how devilishly disrupting distractions can be. Everyday interruptions may be Satan’s most useful tool in diverting our attention from godly pursuits.

Start praying and you can be sure the microwave will beep, the doorbell will chime, the phone will ring, the dryer will buzz, or a spider will appear. For me, a good defense is to now pray with my eyes closed. My husband goes into our guest room, takes the phone off the hook, and closes the door. Don’t let interruptions be your shame when communing with your Savior. Put the blinders on, stick with the program, and set your face like flint.

I ask you, dear Lord, to be a watchdog over my mind and heart when I pray or read your Word. Keep me from any disturbance that the Enemy might place before me.