Philippians 3: Don't get distracted
March 16 - 22, 2025 | Always Peachy Devotionals | The Book of Philippians Week 3
The shortest distance between two points is always under construction.
That’s what we like to say around these parts. Whenever you need to get somewhere fast, usually the best way to go is lined with the dreaded orange cones and workers in fluorescent safety vests.
Road construction is a pain. It’s important, though. If the roads aren’t maintained, they cause damage to vehicles. But driving through a construction zone does create more obstacles than normal, so you need to slow down and pay attention more than you usually would.
Sometimes the lane narrows. Sometimes the lane does that weird S-curve thing when you aren’t expecting it. Sometimes the pavement itself is difficult to drive on. And if you get distracted, you could end up causing an accident, hurting someone, or doing real damage to your car or yourself.
Distractions are at an all-time high in our world today. It’s easier than ever to take your eye off the target and focus your attention on the latest Youtube short or the viral cat video that’s making everybody laugh. But distractions don’t just come from the internet; they come in the form of relationships (both good and bad), careers, family problems, health issues, the list can go on and on.
Anything that gets you off track from what you’re attempting to accomplish is a distraction. Now, granted, sometimes what you’re attempting to accomplish isn’t healthy or what’s best for you. In that instance, your goal can actually be a distraction.
But most of the time, if you’re in a relationship with Jesus and actively seeking His will for your life, you’re going to be pursuing a specific goal. Maybe it’s at your job. Maybe it’s in your family. Maybe it’s a ministry at church. Whatever God has called you to do should be your focus, even if it doesn’t make sense to you at the time.
If it’s God’s call, if it’s what He has asked you to do, you need to do it. Period. And once you make up your mind to do what God has asked you to do, the enemy will go into overdrive to distract you. He will throw every distraction possible in your path to get you to stop pursuing what God has asked you to do.
This week’s chapter of Philippians includes some common distractions we need to watch out for, because they will derail us every time. But God isn’t about just telling us what’s wrong; He always gives us instructions and guidance on how to live. So Philippians 3 also has wisdom on what to do when you don’t know what to do. It’s easier than ever to get distracted, but we can always choose to focus on the goal. Even if your intentions are good, even if you think what you’re doing is right, if it gets you off the path God wants you to walk, you’re chasing the wind.
So what’s what we’re going to talk about this week, how to stay on target and not get distracted:
Monday - Beware fake teachers (Philippians 3:1-4)
Tuesday - Value of human effort (Philippians 3:7-11)
Wednesday - Press forward (Philippians 3:12-14)
Thursday - Hold on to our progress (Philippians 3:15-16)
Friday - Follow Paul’s example (Philippians 3:17-21)
No matter what goal you’re pursuing here in this life, there is one overarching event that all of God’s children should be looking forward to: Jesus’ return.
He’s closer than He’s ever been, and we need Him now more than ever before. I don’t mind telling you that I long for the peace of heaven more than I thought I ever could, but I guess the longer we live in the chaos and dissonance of this world, the more we crave the presence of God.
So our memory verse this week is Philippians 3:20, because it shines a light on something that should be a life priority for every believer.
We live on earth now. We live human lives now. But this world is unsustainable, and our earthly bodies will eventually wear out. Things can’t continue the way they are. But if you know Jesus, this world isn’t your home anyway.
The moment you accept Christ, your citizenship changes. You become a citizen of heaven, so it’s those rules that should matter most to you. How life works in heaven should be what drives your decisions here on earth.
If you are a citizen of heaven, that’s how you should live now. That’s what your priorities should be. Your goals should be in line with what Jesus says is right, not the world, not your favorite social media influencer, not your preferred political party.
What does Jesus say? What matters in heaven? That’s what should motivate us even now while we live on earth. And anything in our lives that asks those priorities to change is an empty distraction.
Praying for peace and wisdom for you all this week.
Amy
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