John Stanko

TOPIC: Time and Distractions

"So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant" - 1 Kings 19:21.

Elijah went on to do one thing on this to-do list and that was to anoint his successor. When he found Elisha, Elisha was busy plowing a field with some oxen. Elisha received the call and went on to slaughter the oxen and burn the yokes. He eliminated all distractions so he could focus on the task at hand and became Elijah's servant. Do you have that kind of focus? If not, maybe it is because you permit too many distractions to be around you, which vie for your attention? Perhaps these distractions are willful because they are convenient excuses preventing you from starting and potentially failing at some idea or venture resident in your heart and mind?

Lord, sometimes I allow the distractions in my life because I want to lose focus. I am afraid to do what is before me, so I listen to the other 'voices' that call my name. I need the determination and focus Elisha had.  Help me to deal with the things in me that give the distractions entrance and attention.