Goodbye Distraction: Learning to Live in the Present MomentSample

When it comes to distraction, one of the most common traps we fall into stems from an unquenchable desire for accomplishment. Daily, we are hit with a flood of messages that tell us to "dream big," "pursue your passion," and "good things happen to those who hustle." When it comes to how we should approach accomplishment, the message and perception of today’s culture is clear: more is always better.

Now, it is certainly not wrong to set goals, strive for excellence, and work hard to accomplish the tasks the Lord has given us. The Bible repeatedly speaks to the importance of work in the life of an apprentice of Jesus (See Colossians 3:23 and Ecclesiastes 2:24). Where we get ourselves into trouble is when we fail to set healthy boundaries in our pursuit of accomplishing what God has called us to do.

Failure to set boundaries regarding what we are passionate about accomplishing leads to a life primarily characterized by selfish ambition. When selfish ambition becomes our guide, we believe the lie that our value as a person is directly linked to what we accomplish in this life. This misguided belief acts as a compass for our life, orienting our decisions around achieving our next degree, title, or promotion.

Sadly, when we are operating from a place of selfish ambition, mindlessly pursuing every new shiny opportunity that comes our way, it becomes virtually impossible to be fully present to God, others, and ourselves.

As apprentices of Jesus, our aim in this life is to organize our daily activities around being with Him, becoming more and more like Him, and doing the things we see Him doing in the Gospel accounts. With that as our framework, what would it look like to set healthy boundaries around our pursuit of accomplishment to step out of the cultural current of ‘more is better’?

#1 - Create a habit of surrendering our desire in the area of accomplishment to Jesus before we take any steps towards making them happen. If the desire in our hearts is truly from God and in line with His Kingdom's purposes, He will initiate and sustain them in His perfect timing. Our role is to wait patiently for Him to take the first step and then continue to take additional steps at His pace.

#2 - Learn to live from a place of rest by observing a weekly rhythm of the Sabbath. When we practice the Sabbath, our pace of life begins to slow down, helping us prioritize time with God, others, and ourselves over all the unfinished tasks weighing heavy on our minds. Sabbath reminds us that Christ is holding it all together (see Colossians 1:17). The supremacy of Christ gives us freedom from the tyranny of 24/7 productivity that we so often mistakenly allow to define our value (and worth).

With that in mind, consider offering this prayer to Jesus as your act of surrender today. "Lord Jesus, thank you for all of the desires you have placed in my heart. Desires to love you and serve others well. I submit all of the many things I desire to accomplish to you, asking that you help me create healthy boundaries so that I remain in sync with your purposes and timing."