We have, one time or another, experienced the following problem: we begin the day proposing some project, goal or resolution. This involves areas such as work, social engagements and even our religious obligations. We leave home, zealous and confident that nothing will stop us from fulfilling our objectives.
At the day’s end, we sadly encounter and are dismayed when we realize how easily we were distracted from completing our empty-driven purpose. We sought to finish a research project but ended up spending a lot of hours over Facebook or some Blog about the life cycle of a cicadas. Finally, instead of being able to fulfill our set times for prayer and apostolate, we ended up putting it off for some later time like after dinner.
What happened here!!!? The culprit: procrastination and sheer distraction.
Procrastination and distraction complement each other. We normally procrastinate because we get distracted by something other than the task we should have done. Procrastination is distraction put in action by delaying something off for later.
If we are to overcome delaying what we ought to do, we must first strive to confront what distracts us from our duty or purpose. Moreover, we must be sincere with ourselves so as not to excuse ourselves from the fulfilment of duty and we must have the courage –thus, sincerity put into practice– to say no and not give in to comfort, laziness or false fears. In these simple steps, procrastination and distractions are done away with.
But can distractions be at all positive or helpful? In a way they are, especially when it is God distracting us. I would like to compare Him to a loving father trying to distract or tease an overly-occupied love-struck daughter or a son obsessed with having failed an exam. After making us laugh at ourselves, he leads us to embrace the lessons that every life experience brings with it. This is how divine distractions may take place.
There are quite a number of moments in life when such divine teasing occurs. I would, however, like to focus on how our Lord may distract us positively in prayer. Naturally, distractions in prayer are often due to our lack of focus but mainly because we lack faith. Our lack of faith –before the certain difficulties or trials– leads us to worry, fret and eventually procrastinate. And instead of focusing on our conversation with God, we end up trying to solve problematic situations and persons.
This is described by St. Josemaría in The Way saying “When you pray keep the distracting ideas moving, just as if you were a policeman on traffic duty: that is why you have the energetic will-power your life of childhood has given you. Now and then keep a thought for a while and commend to God those who caused the inopportune reflection. (no. 891)”
God wants us to focus more on loving His will. And He is aware of our frail condition that often leads us to be easily distracted by many of life’s attractions as well as complications. He invites us to ‘pray these distracting trials’ to Him, rather than to be distracted by them, and even if the person is aware that these problems may not have an easy or definite solution. All God wants of us is our trusting disposition to His mysterious will.
Moreover, when these ‘distractions’ seem to overwhelm us physically and emotionally in our attempts to pray, they should not only lead us to filial abandonment, but towards purifying and enriching our intentions for praying. Thus, St. Theresa of Avila took of advantage of the emotional states of the soul. She says: “If you’re happy, look upon the Resurrected One… If you are working or are tired, contemplate Jesus on His way to Gethsemani… or tied to the pillar, filled with sorrow… for how much He loves us. (Way of Perfection)”
If these are ‘distractions’ originating from our side, what are the real ‘distractions’ coming from God? These are more gentle and subtle realizations that occur even without our seeking them. For example, when we have ‘faint but clear inspirations’ to thank God for the blessings received during the day, our inner longings prompting us to ask Him ‘what more we can do’ or our humble awareness of our nothingness and lack of generosity moving us to ask Him for forgiveness. These and many other simple distractions God stirs in our hearts and draws our souls to carry out His will.
“This is the way many Christians should live, each one forging ahead along his own spiritual path (there are countless paths) in the midst of the cares of the world, even though he may not even realize what is happening to him. Such prayer and behavior do not take us away from our ordinary activities. In the midst of our noble human zeal they lead us to Our Lord. When men offer up all their cares and occupations to God they make the world divine. (St. Josemaría, Friends of God, no. 308)”