Father, help us to always think of you and your Son.
We've looked at a few 'modern day' distractions over the last few weeks, but if anything they aren't modern, but something which has distracted people throughout the ages. All of these examples are mentioned in the book of Ecclesiastes.
Soloman was one of the wisest men who lived, yet he didn't listen to his own advice. He talks about wealth, riches, work and pleasure as being pointless from God's point of view yet these were the very things that he spent his life doing. Not only did he ignore them, but he also let them take him away from God.
He was the richest man alive at his time. He had horses, chariots, servants. He built cities, gardens and great architectural work. He had 300 wives and 700 concubines. He held great parties and feasts. But this was all pointless in terms of what God wants. In God's terms they are all distractions.
What we really need to focus on is God, His plan and our role in it. It's all down to priorities. God doesn't expect us to live poor, lonely, miserable lives, but he does want us to respect and honour Him and make an effort to follow his commandments. We have to live according to God's aims and objectives, and follow His plan not our own. The end result is a perfect life in his perfect kingdom, rather than distractions to take our attention away from the problems of this age.
The book of Ecclesiastes finishes with these words;
This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every work into judgement, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.
We have to make sure we follow them better than Soloman did.