Everyone on earth has a purpose and assignment which must be fulfilled. A distraction is an event that takes the attention of men and women away from their purpose and destiny assignment. For example, losing one’s father to a terrible sickness at the point of gaining admission into the university is an emotional and mental distraction. In life’s journey, many distractions will come the way of anyone with purpose and assignment. Delilah was a distraction for Samson. Samson’s assignment was to destroy the Philistines. Here we have Delilah distracting him with her beauty to make Samson fail in his divine assignment.
In Acts 6: 1-7, the apostles encountered a subtle distraction. It came in the form of a social crisis that has something to do with race and nationality.
Acts 6:1
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
The neglect of the Grecians widows brought murmuring against the Hebrews and apostles. The division was about to start in the church. Even today, in many local assemblies, similar murmuring and contention occurs when there is an event in which food is to be shared. In the days of the Apostles, they practice social welfarism. Such that no one has nothing to themselves but to contribute to a collective purse, and from the purse, the need of every member is met daily.
The murmuring and contention are a distraction, and the apostles recognized it..
Act 6:2
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, it is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
They recognized that the contention was a distraction that the devil designed to make them leave the word of God and prayer to serve tables. I assume that some men were already suggesting that the disciples should do the daily distribution. They turned the suggestion down because it would prevent them from being devoted to the activities that would make them prosper in their assignment and purpose. The apostles resolved to choose men who had a good reports and these men would take care of the distribution.
Act 6:4
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
They chose not to be distracted, rather, they insisted to give themselves to the activities that will make them continue in their purpose and assignment.
How to Confront Distractions
First, your purpose and assignment must be very clear to you. The Apostles knew their purpose and assignment written in Matt 28:18-20
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Jesus did not mention serving tables in this portion of the scripture.
Second, when distraction comes, stick to the activities that will prosper your purpose and assignment. Remember, the apostles concluded that amidst the crisis, they would not serve the table but give themselves to the ministry of prayer and word.
Third, prayerfully devise the method with which you will confront the distraction. The apostles must have prayed, and the holy ghost gave them the wisdom that they should choose seven men of good report; who will supervise serving tables. Poverty, sickness, marital troubles, and failure are examples of distractions. Imagine someone with ordination of financing crusade and Christian outreaches. The same person has a medical condition that is not making his finances go to where God wants them to go. The health condition is a distraction.
Action Point
Pray the following Prayer Points
Mention whatsoever is distracting you and say oh God take it away in the name of Jesus Christ.
Oh God I no longer feed distractions but purpose in the name of Jesus.
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