A Summer of Distractions

by Megan Buchholz on June 14, 2018

Summer is my absolute favorite time of the year. I thrive on the sunshine and warmth. I’m one of the oddballs who loves the heat and humidity. Sometimes I think I live in the wrong state—I'd love hot weather year-round. My family, friends, church, and life are here, though, so I put up with winter. For me, the winter is a time of year with a rhythm and routine to it. I'm intentional with my time with God, with church, with my small group and friends.

But once summer rolls around, my routine falls apart as I take full advantage of the beautiful, warm weather. Every year, I head into summer with the best of intentions at keeping my routines in my faith. I’ll still make church a priority, I’ll still make reading my Bible a priority, I’ll still make my small group and intentional communities a priority. Do you hear the key word there? I. I will still. Complete reliance on myself. This is the easiest pattern of destruction I fall into.

Enter, distractions. It’s a beautiful day; family or friends have made plans, trips, and adventures; the kids are out of school. As a major extrovert, I fill my schedule to the brim. And suddenly, all the summer distractions have filled every waking moment and it’s much easier to choose them over putting in time with God. So how can we enjoy some of these distractions without it being destructive to our relationship with God or even with our family and friends?

First, we have to admit we can’t do it alone.

Complete reliance on ourselves just doesn't work. In fact, this is where pride is often rooted. A fairly well known verse is Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this verse in my lifetime, and there are times I’m tempted to just roll my eyes and think, Yeah, yeah, I know. But that’s just it! Pride prevents me from admitting I can’t do things on my own, that I need help, that I need accountability! You can apply it to just about any situation in life, but for now, let’s stick with distractions from our relationship with God. If pride is what will send us toward destruction, then let’s commit to run in the opposite direction, toward humility. Proverbs 18:12 takes it a step further: “Haughtiness goes before destruction, humility precedes honor.” We honor God when we can humble ourselves enough to admit we need His help.

Second, we must identify the areas we struggle with.

For me, it’s literally the entire season. Whether is 100 degrees or 60, summer just plain distracts me. So, I commit to keeping the important routines like church and small group, time with family and friends. But reading my Bible regularly is tough—it’s the area I’m most easily distracted from. Not what you thought you’d hear from a pastor, right? My thoughts are usually that it’s too nice out, I want to go on adventures, go to the beach or pool, or spend all day with friends or family. I struggle to sit still and read. What are your distractions? They’re likely not inherently bad; often they’re simple or small things, but they add up and can sneak up on us.

Finally, we have to actually do something about it!

Knowing that I want to be out and about, I’ve learned that I have to expect and incorporate the distractions into my summer routine. So, I set up audio Bible reading plans that send me reminders—ones I can listen to while getting ready for the day, driving, or on a walk. I commit to still meeting with my small group even though it would be way more fun to just hang out. I set a specific service each weekend to attend so that I don’t miss worship and great teachings. I've learned to alter my routine instead of totally discarding it. 

I’m far from perfect, and there are days I get so busy I miss or ignore the reminder to listen to my Bible readings. But I find that happening less and less when I continually ask God for help, for the desire to continue the routine. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up in honor.” We will never be sorry for asking for God’s help, especially when it comes to keeping away from the destruction of distractions!

 

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