Staying rooted in God’s love Amidst Distractions

As I read through Jude today, I can feel the urgency in his words. He begins by reminding me that there are false teachers around, people who distort the truth and lead others away from God’s ways. I see Jude calling out the self-serving nature of these false teachers, the way they grumble and slander. It’s a strong warning, but it also challenges me to pay attention to how easily I can be swayed by others if I’m not rooted in God’s Word and the truth of the gospel daily.

In today’s world, where social media and online platforms give everyone a voice, there’s a constant flow of opinions and information, some of which can be misleading or false. It’s easy to be caught up in the noise, especially when everyone seems to have an opinion that can sway your thinking. Just like Jude’s warning about false teachers, I realize how important it is to discern the voices we listen to. Some may present themselves as wise or persuasive, but if they aren’t grounded in truth, they can lead us astray. 

It makes me reflect on the importance of standing firm in what I believe and being cautious about who influences my thinking. Jude’s concern for believers resonates with me, and I can’t help but feel a sense of responsibility to stay alert, remembering the warnings the apostles gave about such people. It’s not just about knowing the truth, but also about living out the truth in a way that resists distractions, whether from false teachers or the overwhelming noise of modern culture.

In a world where information is so easily shared, it’s more important than ever to ensure we’re grounded in the gospel and mindful of who we allow to shape our views. Staying rooted in God’s Word helps us stay firm, avoiding being led astray by the shifting tides of misleading narratives.

Focus on Jude 1:20-21

Verse 20: “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit…”

I love how Jude shifts from warning to encouragement. He’s telling me, “Hey, Faith, you can remain strong too!” He’s reminding me that building my faith is something I have to actively do. I can’t just let my faith sit on the shelf or expect it to grow without my involvement. It’s about intentional actions—whether that’s through reading the Bible, spending time in prayer, or reflecting on how God has been faithful in my life.

With my ADHD, it can be hard for me to focus sometimes. I get distracted, and it can feel like my mind is jumping from one thing to another, making it hard to stay rooted. When I don’t prioritize my faith—when I skip my quiet time or let my focus drift—my strength in the faith starts to weaken. But when I make a habit of coming back to God, even in small moments, my faith feels stronger. I’ve learned to accept the distractions that come and offer them up to God, asking for help to focus and build my faith each day.

Praying in the Spirit helps me with that. When my mind wanders, I can rely on the Holy Spirit to help me pray even when I don’t have the words. I don’t have to get everything perfect; I can trust that the Spirit knows what I need and intercedes for me.

Verse 21: “Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”

This verse brings me back to the heart of everything—the love of God. Jude is telling me to stay close to God’s love. That means being intentional about staying connected to Him through obedience, trust, and prayer. It’s not like God’s love will ever leave me, but I have to choose to stay in it by aligning my heart with His.

It’s easy to get distracted, especially with ADHD. Life is busy, and my mind can sometimes drift. There are days when I feel like I’m not doing enough to stay focused on God. But this verse is an invitation to rest in God’s love. I can stay in His love, even when I’m struggling to focus, by choosing to come back to Him, even in small moments. His love is a constant reminder that I don’t have to be perfect, I just have to keep coming back to Him.

And then there’s the part about waiting for the mercy of Christ. I think this is so important, especially when things are hard. I’m waiting for eternal life—the ultimate promise and hope we have in Christ. No matter how much I go through in this life, I have this hope in Jesus that one day, He will bring me to eternal life with Him. That hope gives me strength to keep going when life is tough.

My Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your Word today. I’m grateful for the reminder to build my faith, to pray in the Spirit, and to stay close to Your love. Life can be hard, and sometimes my ADHD makes it even harder to stay focused. But I trust that You are with me, guiding me even through the distractions. Help me to remain rooted in Your love, to trust in the power of Your Spirit to help me pray, and to keep my eyes on the eternal hope that You’ve promised. Thank You for the mercy that awaits me in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.