Anchored to the roof of the sedan is a sign that reads, “Safe Drivers School.” The student grips the steering wheel and navigates the sedan onto the lined asphalt. The lesson begins.
Student: “The car behind me is on my bumper! Should I pull over and let it pass?”
Instructor: “Stay in your lane.”
Student: “Look at that sign! They’re selling raffle tickets for a new car! Let’s take the next exit.”
Instructor: “Stay in your lane.”
Student: “I can’t see what’s ahead of the truck! Let’s pass it!”
Instructor: “Stay in your lane.”
Many distractions compete for the student’s attention and each have a purpose. Some distractions delay; some re-direct and some have the power to keep the student from reaching their destination. That’s why the instructor commands, “stay in your lane.” His job is to protect a precious life.
Don’t Christians need a similar command from the Holy Spirit to stay in God’s will?
Stay In God’s Will
“My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” John 4:34
Nothing distracted Jesus from doing God’s will. He faced defamation and the hypocrisy of religious leaders, political powers in opposition to Truth, a society that rejected Him and the distortion of God’s Word.
As God’s children we face the same distractions. We’re also facing the same world as Jesus’ disciples did 2000 years ago.
Satan’s distractions haven’t changed. They include social pressure, name-calling, distortion of God’s Word by false teachers and prophets, governments hostile to Truth, and fractured relationships with believers and non-believers. Satan’s purpose is to keep us from doing God’s will.
We need wisdom to stay in God’s will.
Wisdom gives us discernment to see Satan’s distractions and stay in God’s will.
Look at today’s world:
Sara joined co-workers at the lunch table and the conversation drifted to abortion. One co-worker spoke bitterly of those opposed to pro-choice. When Sara shared the view of the value of life from conception her co-worker angrily accused her of being an enemy of women’s rights and out of touch with today’s world. Sara wasn’t distracted by the name-calling. She stayed in God’s will.
Amanda accepted an invitation to attend a worship service at a highly promoted church. The worship music was upbeat and she found herself caught up in the music. When it was time for the sermon message—Amanda wasn’t disappointed. The pastor engaged the crowd the moment he stepped onto the stage. He delivered the message with a passion that seemed to flow from his heart. But Amanda discerned the message was not grounded in God’s Word. She wasn’t distracted by the false teaching. She stayed in God’s will.
Three mothers at her daughter’s elementary school, always friendly to Amy, ignored her at the school concert. Amy opposed the “progressive” curriculum on sex and the traditional family—these mothers embraced it. She wasn’t distracted by social pressure. She stayed in God’s will.
Wisdom revealed Satan’s distraction and kept these women in God’s will.
We Pray
Pray for wisdom from God's Word and the Holy Spirit to stay in God's will.
"My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." John 4:34
Jesus, thank You for teaching us that doing God’s will is our spiritual nourishment. Thank You for showing us how to live for Your purpose and not our own.
No distraction kept You from doing the will of the Father to redeem us. But we're distracted by disintegrating relationships, political and cultural voices planting seeds of fear and hate and religious leaders preaching "truth" that is not Your Truth.
Jesus help us...
Help us be filled with Wisdom to discern Satan’s distractions.
Help us call on Wisdom to discern the relationships in our life and remind us we’re not fighting flesh and blood.
Give us courage to let go of relationships You call us to release.
Give us grace to mend relationships You call us to keep.
Give us compassion to pour into relationships You call us to shepherd for You.
Help us uproot fear from our hearts and trust You with the world's events.
Help us remember You control all that is seen and unseen, powers, rulers and authorities so we’re filled with peace and joy.
Help us hear Spirit’s voice to discern false teachers and prophets that distort Your Word.
Help our hearts hunger to meditate on Your Word so we’re equipped to proclaim Your Truth.
Help keep us humble so we remember we can’t do God’s will without the Holy Spirit and Wisdom.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
A Question for My Sisters
What distraction is keeping you from God’s will?