Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), 2 that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm. 3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”  4 But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner. 5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written: It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king. 7 And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, “There is a king in Judah!” Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together. 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.” 9 For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.” Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. Nehemiah 6:1-9 NKJV

Are you committed to do the will of God for your life? If so, it necessitates focus! Today, I heard a great message on the subject: “Distractions.”  This was my take-away:

Distractions detract from the required focus you need to do God’s will. From the time you awaken each day, there are people, things, and other completing interest to distract you from God’s will for your life. People will want to impose on your schedule and have you help fulfill their agendas. And, living in the information age—technology, social media, and other online applications can be very consuming of your time and attention; not to mention, the demands of your business or your job the workplace. Do allow these persons and things to divert or lessen your attention of God’s will? If so, you will be easily distracted.

A distraction will draw your attention or mind to a different object; it diverts you; and, it stirs up and confuses you with conflicting motives and emotions (Merriam-Webster). In the text above, Nehemiah’s one all-consuming goal was to rebuild the ruined walls of Jerusalem, and he was determined not to allow a distraction to derail the fulfillment of this God-given vision. Notwithstanding his enemies tried several times to pull him away from his God-given assignment, but he refused them and their distraction. His attitude was: “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down” [i.e., “I have a great vision from the Lord and I won’t allow you to distract me” Neh 6:3]. You cannot be the “be all and end all” to everyone. To stay focused, you need the will to say “no” to distractions.

We live in a world surrounded by things that can distract us from putting first things first, making the Lord our first priority, and living a priority driven life by keeping the will of God our highest ambition—so you need to reminded of the words that God spoke to Moses, “I am the Lord your God. You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices” (Lev. 18:1-3). Keep your focus on the Lord (Heb. 12:2) and focus on His will and His Word. Follow Jesus—not just people on Facebook and Twitter—and don’t worry about others, but concentrate on what Father God has spoken to you. There is no justification for disobedience. So, what is God saying to you today? Whatever it is, your attitude must be: “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.” I refuse to be distracted!