Overcoming Distractions: A Teacher’s Insight on God

I met with a friend this morning, and as we talked about an issue, it brought back a memory from years ago.

While still working in the schools, I was tasked with observing a teacher. When I walked into the middle school classroom to observe, I noticed one young man struggling with his behavior. I was familiar with this student and knew this was not a first-time issue.

The teacher was rock-solid in her skills and experienced in dealing with behavior issues, but the student was trying his best to get the attention of everyone in the room. It was interesting to watch the dynamics.

The class was full of other students, and the teacher was in the process of teaching a small group math lesson. While she was giving instructions to the class, Johnny (I’ll call him) was making sounds, banging his pencil, kicking the desk in front of him, and being as creative as possible to get a giggle from the other kids – and it was working.

The teacher was appropriate in her response. She told her small group of students, “You need to look at me, listen to the instructions I’m giving you, and ignore Johnny. I know what is going on with him. I’m the teacher, and I will handle his behavior. You focus on me and get your work done.”

Bam.

Isn’t that precisely what Satan wants from us? Satan uses the craziest things to divert our attention away from God and onto his antics. He knows that if we get our attention on him, we will miss God’s instruction. God is probably thinking the same as the teacher did: “Focus on me and ignore Satan’s distractions. Listen to my instructions because I am still in control and know what is happening. I will handle Satan – that is my job.”

It brings me back to James 4:7, which states, “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

I often spend too much time focusing on the enemy’s tactics and getting distracted by his behavior. Why give him my attention? Instead, I need to stay focused on God, listen to his instructions, and continue to pursue what he has called me to do, leaving him to take care of the rest.

While it’s easier said than done, if I’m aware of it, God will remind me to stay on track.