Distraction

"When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." - Genesis 3:6

"...but few things are needed--or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:42

Distractions are my decisions. Distractions are my directions. Distractions are my destruction.

Humanity’s very break in relationship with Love was born from falling for a distraction. Today, in this moment, is the very same break. This isn’t a revelation from a resolution to rid life of “all distractions.” The distractions themselves aren’t an “evil to be vanquished.” 1. It’s impossible to rid my life of them unless I join a Convent (event then, thoughts are the most resounding distractions of all) 2. The problem isn’t the distraction, it’s my response. For example, I love entertainment whose sole purpose is to temporarily distract from reality – be it movies, music, sports, etc. But when fiction becomes my idol, then addiction becomes my reality. Or when I value what anyone, of entertainment or otherwise, says over what God says, then I'm distracted into idolatry. Again, the garden. Always looking to what fills my desire -temporary to eternity.

YHWH created the tree and the fruit. Knowing the decision of His children and all of the consequences to follow, He could have not created the tree all together and saved us all, especially Himself, the suffering, loss, and unspeakable evil that we now endure. Even with Noah, He lamented not the tree, but creating man whom He passionately loved. But He didn’t remove the tree; He didn’t force obedience. From them and then, to me and now, He creates us to “choose the better.”

For me, distractions are points of habitual re-focusing. Decisions develop into habitual idolatry. They rob me of moments. Staring at molehills while missing majestic mountains. Staring at my phone while missing a person’s presence (this is personal, greatest distraction). Moments that rob me, rob me of you, and rob my relationship with God - the very foundation of all that is and all that I am to begin with. Not my love; my relationship. My choice and my loss. I know the consequence, yet I choose poorly.

It’s an altering in heart’s desires long before it’s choice of button pressing. Consistently and consciously. It’s not even a disobedience or condemnation; it’s a desire and a choice. Just like the Garden. The base of my motives and moving actions is this in the year of new: I don’t resolve to behave better. I resolve to choose the better. I resolve to choose Love.