Some distractions are unavoidable and created by others—like when someone literally gets in your face. Other distractions, even if created by others, are easier to disregard and can be managed, if we try. So, think about a place where distractions exist but we wish they didn’t—in a worship assembly. But, how many of the distractions are self-imposed? Or, how many could we control, if we tried?
Imagine being a Jew at the temple, with the sound, smell and sight of animals being slaughtered. Could that distract you from worshiping God? Imagine the sight of the priest with blood on his hands and his garment. Distracting? Imagine the delay when older priests took longer to carry out their duties than others. Are you distracted? Imagine being outside in the temple court, exposed to the elements and dealing with uncomfortable temperatures or precipitation. Would that distract your mind from staying focused? It could have a real negative impact on you, if you allowed it.
What about in our modern worship assemblies? Do the sounds and sights of crying babies or the ruckus caused by children distract you from worshiping God? Do the members constantly on their phones and not paying attention or really engaging in worship distract you? Does what the men leading in worship are wearing distract you? Do the mannerisms or efforts of older men leading in worship distract you? Do the mannerisms or efforts of younger men leading in worship distract you? Does the temperature of the auditorium distract you? Does the length of the comments before the Lord’s Supper distract you? Does the song selection distract you? Does the length of the sermon or the service itself distract you?
Can I encourage you to read through that list again? Can I ask you to add other things to the list that have been common distractions for you in worship?
Then, can I ask you—how many of these distractions are self-imposed? (There are several on that list which are choices one makes, not actual distractions.) Can I ask you—how many of these distractions could be controlled by your mind, if you really tried? The mind is powerful, even able to disregard crying babies and noisy kids. After you have whittled away at your list of “distracting things” in worship, how many actual distractions are left?
Some distractions can be overcome by sitting up front, or by pouring yourself deeply into the worship, or by bringing stray thoughts into captivity and control. Whatever may be distracting you from throwing your whole “heart” and self into worshiping God (Col. 3:14-17, 23), may I encourage you to identify it, evaluate it and work fervently to eliminate it.