The Danger of Distraction

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/

The Danger of Distraction
by Scott Ashley, Managing editor
Some 26 centuries ago an angelic messenger revealed to the prophet Daniel what would be a defining characteristic of our age. At "the time of the end," he said, "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase" (Daniel 12:4, emphasis added throughout).

In Daniel's day, who in his wildest dreams could've foreseen the huge changes in transportation and information technology that have so powerfully reshaped our world?

Consider what we've seen in just a century's time.

A few years ago my grandmother passed away. What changes she witnessed! Born in the days of the horse and buggy, she lived to see the invention of automobiles, airplanes, jet aircraft, television, computers, skyscrapers and men walking on the moon. In a single airline flight she traveled more miles than her parents had in a lifetime.

When it comes to information, many of us have access to thousands of news sources all over the world via the Internet, not to mention entire electronic libraries at our disposal. In addition, we're deluged with information that pours down on us constantly from our TVs, radios, phones, computer monitors, laptops, books, newspapers and magazines.

Yet in spite of all the information inundating society, most lack the knowledge that's most important.

Have you ever considered how many great men of God spent considerable time alone in the wilderness? Moses spent 40 years as a shepherd tending flocks in the desert. David grew up in the outdoors as a shepherd boy; his many psalms reflect that formative part of his life. Elijah fled to the desert to escape the wrath of the murderous Jezebel.

Jesus Christ regularly went away into the wilderness to avoid the crowds and commune with His Father, just as He had done at the beginning of His ministry. The apostle Paul similarly went into the desert for three years to spiritually prepare himself for the work God had called him to do.

With all these men, something about the calm and quiet of the wilderness purged their minds of life's distractions. In their solitude God could fill them with purpose and passion. In the calm of quietness came conviction.

Is there a lesson here for us? In many ways today's information explosion is a great benefit. At our fingertips we have access to vast amounts and kinds of information previous generations could have scarcely imagined. But while this incessant flow of information is helpful in many ways, it can be quite destructive when it distracts us from what is really important.

With all of this information, so many are sadly lacking in the knowledge that's most crucial. God warned more than 2,700 years ago that people can be and are "destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). The all-important knowledge people lack is that of how to live, why we are here and where we are going.

That's why The Good News is so important. We're here to provide and point you to that knowledge you won't find elsewhere. We're here to help focus your mind on the timeless, eternal truths God reveals in His Word—the true words that make life make sense.

Don't let yourself be continually distracted by the trivial, insignificant things that will consume your time and leave you frustrated and empty. Focus on what's really crucial—the all-important good news of God's Word! GN