In Bible times, many people worshipped idols.  The Israelites worshipped a golden calf, the people of Canaan served idols, and the Egyptians worshipped many gods. Idolatry replaces God with another person or thing – and this is a huge sin to God.

In modern culture, we may not bow down to statues, but we worship idols in the form of distractions. We concern ourselves with the cares of this world when our first priority should always be our personal connection with God.

Distractions come in many forms.

• Browsing social media for hours at a time is a distraction.
• Hanging out with the wrong people can become a distraction.
• Playing “superwoman” and catering to everyone else’s needs can become a distraction.
• Centering your life around your children can become a distraction.
• Obsessing over your career can become a distraction.
• Being preoccupied with trying to reach a personal goal can become a distraction.

Should we be good mothers to our children? Absolutely. However, if you are exhausting your time with after-school activities, carpooling, meal prepping, and homeschooling  – but no personal devotion time with God – your daily tasks have become a distraction from your relationship with God. You will become weary and overworked because you haven’t allowed God to strengthen you through personal time with Him.

Should we pursue our goals and career? Yes! But if all of your time is spent studying or working and you have no time to give to God, your personal goals and achievements have become a distraction from your relationship with God. You will lose steam chasing your goals because you haven’t allowed God to encourage you through personal time with Him.

A distraction is anything that gets in the way of your relationship with God.

Is there something in your life right now that takes priority over your relationship with your Heavenly Father?

Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you are really serious about wanting to return to the LORD, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Determine to obey only the LORD; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.

1 Samuel 7:3

The first commandment God has given us is to have no other gods before Him. As we prepare our hearts for the new year, let’s become more mindful of the things that hinder our relationship with God. The enemy throws distractions our way to cause us to lose focus of God.

God wants a deeper relationship with you, so make time for Him.

I’m not asking you to stop what you are doing to rearrange your daily plans, but I am suggesting that we all learn to add a little more Jesus to our schedules throughout the day. Make the necessary changes and get rid of your distractions to ensure you have time to pray, read your bible, or sing songs of praise and worship. Here are a few suggestions to help put God first:

1. Read a scripture or devotion before you get out of bed each morning.
2. Listen to worship music during your daily commute.
3. Play a Christian podcast or sermon in the background while you clean the house.
4. Pray as a family before everyone goes to bed.
5. Read a scripture or devotion before you go to bed each night.

When you plan your day, be sure to schedule time to spend with God.

Daily time with God grows, strengthens, and encourages our hearts to endure anything the world throws our way. With a firm foundation in Him, there is nothing we can’t conquer.

Grab your bible, and read the scriptures for yourself to complete today’s Scripture Reading Challenge. What are your thoughts on today’s passage? Share with us in the comments below or head on over to our Facebook page to join the conversation!