Squirrel!
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In the animated movie “Up”, Dug the dog is constantly distracted by squirrels. It doesn’t matter what’s going on or how a lack of attention will affect serving his humans. If a squirrel goes by, he’s immediately focused on it!
We humans are also distracted a lot! Have you ever been in the midst of an earnest and heartfelt prayer, when an earthly distraction suddenly grabs your attention? Squirrel! Perhaps you’re thinking about calling a friend who is going through a rough period of their life, when you remember that it’s time to finish your daily online game and keep your streak going. Another squirrel!
I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.”
1 Corinthians 7:35 NLT
In his first letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul is talking about the ultimate distraction — living with another human being in an intimate, loving relationship. Some people are blessed and are in relationships that allow them to live side-by-side with a partner who shares their commitment to God. Some have a partner who doesn’t share their belief, forcing them to choose between serving God and making their husband or wife happy. That’s a squirrel you don’t want your attention focused on!
Others spend their lives looking for the perfect partner, a distraction that may keep them from serving the Lord in the manner they’d like to. The bottom line? Paul thinks that you should do whatever is going to help you serve God the best, whether that is a life of celibacy or marriage to a man or woman who shares your faith.
Whatever form your intimate relationships take, make sure that the squirrels aren’t running the show. If you’re building a new relationship and experiencing distractions that move your focus from God to sex or keeping your partner happy, it might be time to look away from the squirrel and focus upward.