Our goal has been to see Winning Race Teams: Households that live out the message, power and glory of God to their neighborhood, community and the world. We can learn some lessons from NASCAR. This funny video shows how just how distracting it can be for a driver:
Distraction is the diversion of attention of an individual or group from the chosen object of attention onto the source of distraction. Distraction is caused by one of the following: lack of ability to pay attention; lack of interest in the object of attention; greater interest in something other than the object of attention; or the great intensity, novelty or attractiveness of something other than the object of attention. Distractions come from both external sources (physical stimuli through the five senses), or internal sources. Divided attention, as in multi-tasking could also be considered as distraction in situations requiring full attention on a single object (e.g. sports, academic tests, performance). Distraction is a major cause of procrastination, though it is possible to be diligent and still diverted from what is valuable.
Driver distractions are the leading cause of most vehicle crashes and near-crashes. According to a study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes involve some form of driver distraction. The distraction occurred within three seconds before the vehicle crash! According to the NHTSA and VTTI study, the principal actions that cause distracted driving and lead to vehicle crashes are:
- Cell phone use (hand-held or hands-free phone)
- Things inside the vehicle (food, children, book, friends, loose pets, in-vehicle navigation system, radio surfing, blackberries, and other portable devices)
- Things outside of the vehicle (an accident, a vehicle pulled over by law enforcement, construction work, a billboard advertisement, a scenic view, street names and addresses )
- Applying makeup
Driving is a skill that requires your full attention to safely control your vehicle and respond to events happening on the roads around you. Driving involves constant and complex coordination between your mind and body. Events or things that prevent you from operating your car safely are distractions. There are three types of distractions and they are anything that takes your: 1. eyes off the road (visual). 2. mind off the road (cognitive). 3. hands off the steering wheel (manual).
When you are driving, the condition of the roadway you are on and the behavior of other drivers can change abruptly, leaving you little or no time to react. When you are driving, follow these rules: Stay focused. Pay attention. Expect the unexpected.Drive safe and stay alive. Keep your mind on your driving, keep your eyes on the road, and your hands on the wheel!
Distractions will keep your family from winning the race
Distraction is our Enemy"Among the enemies to devotion none is so harmful as distractions. Whatever excites the curiosity, scatters the thoughts, disquiets the heart, absorbs the interests or shifts our life focus from the kingdom of God within us to the world around us--that is a distraction; and the world is full of them. Our science-based civilization has given us many benefits but it has multiplied our distractions and so taken away far more than it has given. One thing is certain, however: we cannot turn the clock back to quieter times, neither can we hide from the persistent clamor of the 20th century. We must learn to live in such a world as this and be victorious over it."A.W. Tozer
Distractions must be conquered or they will conquer us.
Why we should strive to eliminate distractions: It prevents giving full attention to God and the ones He has entrusted you with. It takes attention from God’s plan ultimately delaying or aborting it, missing God’s perfect timing concerning people, things, and events.
Why we should strive to eliminate distractions: It prevents giving full attention to God and the ones He has entrusted you with. It takes attention from God’s plan ultimately delaying or aborting it, missing God’s perfect timing concerning people, things, and events.
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. –Matthew 6:6
How do you deal with distractions?
You make tough choices on how to drop "entangling ones" - AVOIDANCE MANEUVER "While the grace of God will enable us to overcome inevitable distractions, we dare not presume upon God's aid and throw ourselves open to unnecessary ones. The roving imagination, an inquisitive interest in other people's business, preoccupation with external affairs beyond what is absolutely necessary: these are certain to lead us into serious trouble sooner or later. The heart is like a garden and must be kept free from weeds and insects. To expect the fruits and flowers of Paradise to grow in an untended heart is to misunderstand completely the processes of grace and the ways of God with men. Only grief and disappointment can result from continued violation of the divine principles that underlie the spiritual life."A.W. Tozer
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1
How do you deal with distractions? Cultivate simplicity - let us want fewer things
Technology has become the tool in which our society has become mesmerized with. We own electronic devices so lifelike that they seem almost as real as being there. Televisions, stereos, Ipods, Mp3 players, cars, boats, planes, motor-homes, motorcycles, computers, computer games, mini-computers, etc. are such a large part of our lives that no longer do we need to interact with others, we can simply spend all of our time with our ‘toys’. We have sports teams all over the planet. Our minds are so filled up with ‘things to do’ that we have lost track of the ‘things that we should be doing’. All of these things train us to look in the world for ways to spend our time. We all seek fulfillment, but all of the worldly things do not offer true fulfillment, they are distracters that callously steal our valuable time. An emptiness develops within us as we look to the world to fill the void we feel.
How do you deal with distractions? Walk in the Spirit, Fill your minds with the Word of God, Fill your hearts with thanksgiving and praise.
How do you deal with distractions? Remain Christ-centered
Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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