A leader avoids distraction

A  distraction is something that divides your attention and prevents concentration.  A distraction is therefore something that takes your attention away from what you are doing.  Leaders have goals that they try not to detract from.  Since a leader ought to be constantly aware of his goal and vision, a distraction is clearly detrimental to any leader’s progress.

Distractions a Leader Should Avoid

1.    A leader should avoid the distractions that come from people who have not heard from God the way he has.

Although many other people are ministers, like myself, I realise that we are not on the same level.  I do not do things just because others are doing them.  Once I told a pastor friend about how we were reaching out to certain villages.  He smirked and remarked that he had no interest in such ventures.  I was discouraged, wondering whether I was doing the right thing.  
But I strengthened myself in the Lord and persisted in the calling God gave to me.  I’m glad I did.

2. A leader should avoid the distraction that comes by trying to compete.

The spirit of competition easily affects a human being. Competition can drag a leader into all sorts of activities of trying to outdo another minister.

3. A leader should avoid the distraction of phone calls.

The telephone, especially the mobile phone, is a modern-day distraction that will take you away from the presence of God.  Any minister who has not learnt to put the telephone in its right place in his life will constantly be distracted from prayer and Bible study.
Any other leader who has not learnt to put phone calls, WhatsApp, Facebook and other social networking tools in their proper place, will end up not putting enough time into his work. 

4. A leader should avoid the distraction of false brethren.

False brethren are people who are sent by the enemy to take up your time.  The time that should be spent with real sheep is spent on these “false” sheep that suck up all the time and energy of a leader.  These are the very people who will turn around one day to accuse the leader and be ungrateful.  They will not remember the hours you spent investing in their lives.

5. A leader should avoid the distraction of carnal leaders and people who are not as committed as he is.

When I relate with ministers who have my level of commitment, they sharpen me and I also sharpen them.  Relating with people who do not care about the things of God as much as you do will make you wonder if you are normal.  For instance, if you are supposed to be a full-time minister and you talk to some lay ministers you may wonder if you are doing the right thing.

 6. A leader should avoid the distraction of unproductive arguments and quarrels.

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

2 Timothy 2:23

Do not make it your business to get into unnecessary arguments and debates.  I love the Scripture that says you cannot do anything against the truth.

For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

2 Corinthians 13:8

This means that arguments, shouting and proving your point do not affect the truth of the matter.  The truth will outlive every lie!  Every true minister will be derided, scorned and accused.  As you go higher in ministry, more and more lies will be spread about you.

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 12:19

Dear Leader, bear this in mind and stay away from unproductive arguments and quarrels!  They will only steal your time.

7. A leader should avoid doing other people’s jobs.

This is one of the greatest distractions of leaders.  If I employ someone to look after my security and I have to go around checking the doors myself, then I am doing someone else’s job in addition to mine.  Many leaders are distracted into doing unnecessary things to compensate for non-performing or irresponsible workers.

Pastors who are called to spiritual things must avoid doing secular and administrative jobs that others can do.  I am a pastor so I don’t see why I should become an accountant, secretary, banker, security man or protocol officer.  This is exactly what Peter did when he ran away from the job of serving tables in order to prevent distraction from holy things.

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Acts 6:2,4

May God help our leaders to avoid all forms of distraction!

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