Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Living in America means constantly fighting the battle of distraction at virtually every turn. While other countries suffer in poverty and famine we suffer with overabundance and impatience due to our instant and entitled society.

At first this may sound like a non issue and just another obnoxious complaint of a first world Christian, but let me tell you it is nothing of the sort. When you are free from the distractions we face here you are able to hear and see God in ways that we miss nearly all the time in America. It is so easy to fall into the trap of self-sufficiency where we live under the mantras: “if you just try harder you too can achieve the American dream”, and “you can be anything you want to be”, and even more modern sayings such as: “live your best life”, and “believe in yourself”. These messages of self-power and strength flood our airwaves constantly and muddy the waters of life easily if we are not careful.

We live in a time where we have instant access to pretty much everything which can really damage a heart seeking the Lord. How does this affect our prayer life? I can tell you I have personally felt it creep in and make me feel like I can just place my order with God and have it pop up all hot and ready at the next window in a few seconds. It means I can sometimes miss answers to prayer if they are not answered immediately as I have already moved onto the next thing if I am not careful. I can become quick to dismiss and disregard a request as unimportant or check it off as a “no” from God just because it took a few days, weeks, or even years to come to pass.

So how can we slow down, pause, and reflect, in this society that is so fast paced? Intentionality. That’s how. Making a conscientious effort to not live in the fear of missing out (FOMO as my millennial counterparts call it) and instead allow our hearts and minds to trust in the Lord and his timing. For me it is a daily effort and battle that I must choose to participate in. To take the time to hear the Lord seek Him even when life seems to be moving at a million miles a minute. To rein in the thoughts of “faster” and instead only move when the Lord says “go” and at the pace which he sets, not my own.

Father, thank you that you have not left us here in this place to languish. That instead you have called us and equip us to battle on even in the fast paced world we live in. Guard our hearts from the temptation to participate in the speed race of life and to seek your face in all things. Keep us moving along in obedience at the pace you set and not our own or the worlds. You are so good to us and we are sinners saved by grace alone. Thank you for your sacrifice of your son so that we may have eternal life. In Jesus name, Amen.