MADE FOR GREATNESS 4: DISTRACTION IS A WEAPON OF WAR
One of my fond childhood memories is of Daddy playing with us. It was always an exciting one. We would play mock boxing or even wrestling. Daddy would make a move like he was aiming for your face. As you attempt to block the face, his hand lands on your side. He would have a good laugh and say things like, ‘I distracted you so I could get you”. I smile whenever I remember these episodes. We still do such at times but more with my siblings during family reunions.
“I distracted you so I could get you”
Distraction is a weapon of warfare. While you are focused on the smokescreen, the real war is going on behind your back. There are times I have had to scream at loved ones and warn them not to get distracted.
That was the strategy that Joshua and Israel used in defeating the city of Ai. They pretended to flee from Ai but the real plan was to draw the men away from the city and leave it vulnerable for the reserved army to penetrate and burn it down.
“And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness. So all the people who were in Ai were called together to pursue them. And they pursued Joshua and were drawn away from the city. There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel. So they left the city open and pursued Israel.”
Joshua 8:15-17 NKJV
Let us take a quick look at families: Some fathers have been drawn away from their homes by legitimate demands. There are needs to be met. There are deals to seal. The devil gives you more so your home can be exposed. You can even be a pastor. Discern well- is your home exposed?
Second, some teachings are pure sensationalism. If a teaching is telling you that there are people to cut away from and you have a list of people that you are already offended at, that sermon is not for you. What you need to learn is “How to Walk in Love” and not how to cut people off. That sermon is a distraction.
If it feeds your pain rather than teach you to grow, it is a distraction. It can be loading you with more poison. Stop looking for affirmation for wrong behaviour in a sermon. That sermon may be your distraction. That can be you heaping teachers for your itchy ears instead of staying under the light of God’s surgery so all hidden things can be exposed and removed.
Finally, one good result can be the distraction for greater impact. Do not rest on your oars. There is still more to be done. You are made for greatness. Do not be distracted.
temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa