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Undistracted

The world is becoming increasingly proficient at telling stories that deny God. As those stories take hold, Christians are at a greater risk of being distracted. We learn “the: ways of the nations” and are dismayed by the “signs of the heavens” (Jer 10:2). In doing so, we are tempted by the people’s vain practices (10:3). In short, we become distracted.

Distraction is a subtle gateway toward idolatry. As the peoples of Jeremiah 10 look to “their idols” which “are like scarecrows in a cucumber field,” we begin to trust that which “cannot speak,” “cannot walk,” and “cannot do evil” or good (10:5). In other words, we begin to give ourselves away to that which cannot only accomplish distraction.

Instead of trusting in the vain “customs of the peoples,” Christians are to revel in the uniqueness and greatness of the Lord (10:6). The wisdom of the nations is nothing but wood. It is “stupid and foolish” (10:8). However impressive the credentials and appearance of those who create idols may be, their work pales in comparison to the Lord, who is “the true God” (10:9-10). No idol, nation, or people can “endure his indignation” because he is the “eternal King” (10:9-10).

We can quickly become distracted by the ways and customs of the nations. We are too quick to turn to idols when life gets difficult. Idols are easy to follow because they don’t require us to change. They provide the facade of security in the short-term and draw our attention from what God is doing in our lives and in the world.

Being dismayed like the nations about the “signs of the heavens” obscures us from acknowledging that there Is none like God (10:7). Adopting the concerns of those who do not know the Lord draws our attention away from walking in the Lord’s wisdom.

We must be cautious about being taken captive by the world’s concerns and solutions (cf. Col 2:8). We must avoid the distractions that keep us from sitting at the feet of Jesus (Lk 10:38-42) or fixing our eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2). Our focus must be on being and making disciples for Jesus Christ by attending to God’s wisdom and holding fast to the path he sets before us (Ps 17:5).