Are Your Relationships, Routines or Recreation Taking the Place of God in Your Life?

We know that it’s easy to get distracted in our walk with God. Today, we’re going to talk about three good things – attractions – that can become distractions when we let them take the place of God in our lives.

All three of these begin with the letter “R”. The first is:

1. Relationships. Life is about relationships, and great relationships are prescribed in the Bible.

We’re told not to forsake our fellowship with one another. (Hebrews 10:25) Romans 12:10 says, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor…” Psalm 55:14 talks about those who had sweet fellowship together, walking in the house of God. These are great relationships.

However, when relationships take precedence over our devotion to God, they become a dangerous distraction.

Is your husband or wife more important than God? Does your spouse attract you to God or distract you from God? Are your children taking up so much time you use it as an excuse for never reading God’s Word?

My wife and I just returned from Oklahoma, where our daughter blessed us with our first grandchild, an absolutely amazing and exciting experience. But I wonder if it’s possible that this beautiful baby we all pray for and hold so proudly, could be a distraction from our walk with God. Is that possible? Certainly.

These relationships obviously demand time, and so they should – but don’t forget about God in the process. Relationships can cause our walk with God to spiral downward or compromise our morals. Can you think of an example in your life?

2. Routine. Routines can become a distraction as well.

Our work is probably the biggest part of our routines and can become a huge distraction from the things of God.

We need to be careful that we don’t place our career, our bosses opinion or our professional advancement over God in our priorities. We can’t let the routine of daily work become an idol, or an excuse to ignore God’s call on us.

Some routines are good, but some routines are just automatic time-consumers. We need to be careful that we don’t get sucked into routines that distract us from God, or maybe ways and people he has called us to serve.

3. Recreation. What’s your favorite hobby? Recreation and hobbies can be a great escape. We need to relax from time to time, but sometimes, we can use recreation and hobbies to escape from God or excuse our inattention to the things of God.

Hobbies can rob us of time and consume us. Enjoy your recreational activity, but don’t allow the attraction of your hobby to be a distraction from growing in godliness, spending time with God, spending time in his Word, or sharing your faith with others.

Be aware of the three “R’s”: relationships, routines, and recreation. They all can be very appealing, but these attractions can become dangerous distractions from God, his Word, and growing in godliness. Instead, keep God at the focus of your life, and those attractions will have their rightful place in your heart.

Remember, “…seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33.

You can read Fred’s previous post about distractions here.