Distractions. Whatever form they take, they present a challenge for all of us, no matter what stage of life we’re in. One that seems to be getting significant press currently concerns texting while driving. A billboard in north Fort Worth discourages it. A member of the Texas Rangers baseball team is on the radio advising against it. We’re dangerous weapons behind the wheel of a car, and so are the people sharing the road with us. So the message is: Take care of the task at hand—arriving at our destination in one piece. When our attention is taken away from that and onto making sure our best friend knows what we did today or someone else knows when we’ll be home, well, that just invites disaster.
So here you are in college. Making it on your own now. Away from mom and dad, little brother, and Pickles your pet goldfish. Whether you’re starting college or back for your final semester, you’ve got them...distractions. That party that everyone’s going to. The boyfriend or girlfriend that’s around all the time. Hanging out with your friends at all hours. Going out to get something to eat. Working out in the gym. Extracurricular activities. Social events. What?!...you say? What in the world is wrong with those, for Pete’s sake? Isn’t that what college is all about? Going to class, studying, making good grades, applying for internships, a part-time job, socializing, exercising, making friends, maybe meeting your future husband or wife, attending sporting events, participating in intramural activities?
Well, technically, there is nothing wrong with any of those. In fact, there is a whole lot right about each of them. College should help prepare you for future endeavors, but it should be fun as well, right? Absolutely. But where good things become distractions is when they start to blot out the sun, so to speak...or should I say “Son”. You start college having been grounded in your local church. Maybe even a leader in your youth group. But you come to college and something happens. Stuff. You know, all those things we just talked about...college stuff. And then something doesn’t happen. That which was an important part of your life for a long time starts to diminish—your relationship with the One you’ve been following so faithfully to this point. No more reading the Bible, no more praying, no more fellowshipping—what are you kidding? Do you know how early that service starts? Too busy. Too many other things to do. I can’t do both at the same time, of course, so something has to give. Pretty soon, lo and behold, He’s forgotten altogether.
Distractions. All good stuff by themselves perhaps. Mixed with a higher priority at the moment, however, they become nothing more than a distraction. We are called to relationship with our Heavenly Father. We are supposed to have no other gods before Him. We are supposed to take up our cross and follow Him. Instead, other things start to intrude upon His time. Pretty soon, we get to where we downright ignore Him. Not intentionally, but that’s where we end up. Take heart, though. He loves you. He cares for you. He wants to abundantly bless you. Yes, sometimes He seems elusive, but stay with Him. Give Him some time in your busy schedule. Find out just how wonderfully He can work in your life.
Steve Poe, UBC Adult and Friend to College Students
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