Do You Ever Get Sidetracked

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Have you ever gotten sidetracked?

You’re focused. Moving forward. Making progress. Then suddenly something pops up—and before you know it, you’re distracted, questioning, wondering… and stuck trying to figure out what to do next.

It happens all the time.

You’re in the office working on your next youth gathering when a notification pops up. You click it… and 20 minutes later you’ve bounced from post to post to post. Sidetracked.

You’re in a planning meeting for your next retreat, and somehow the conversation shifts from afternoon games to the latest Avengers trailer. Sidetracked.

Or you’re teaching middle schoolers about God’s sovereignty… and someone farts. Yeah—good luck recovering from that. Sidetracked.

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1. Don’t Be Distracted by Distractions

Distractions are inevitable. The issue isn’t that they come—it’s how we respond when they do.
The danger isn’t the interruption; it’s allowing the interruption to derail your calling.

You’ve been entrusted with responsibilities—your ministry, your family, your commitments. These matter.

​And when distractions pull you away to the point that you neglect what God has already placed in front of you, that’s when it becomes a problem.

So when a distraction comes, pause if you need to. Evaluate it. But don’t let it pull you away from what you already know you’re called to do.

Stay focused on what matters most.

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2. Move from Distraction to Discernment

Not every distraction is meaningless.

Sometimes, God uses interruptions to get our attention. Other times, it’s simply noise.

The challenge is knowing the difference—and that takes discernment.

When something disrupts your path, bring it before God in prayer. Not just once, but continually. Ask for clarity. Ask for wisdom. Ask that you wouldn’t lose sight of your priorities.

And don’t do it alone.

​Invite trusted, godly people into the process—those who will pray with you, speak honestly, and help you see what you might miss. Wise counsel is a gift, especially when life feels unclear

3. Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.

When distractions become significant, communication becomes essential.

If you’re married, this is especially important. Talk often. Be honest. Process things together. Make space for real conversations as new information comes in and decisions need to be made.

If you’re not married, lean into a trusted friend, mentor, or parent—someone who knows you well and can offer perspective and guidance.

You don’t have to navigate difficult seasons alone.

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At some point, we all get sidetracked.

Most of the time, it’s temporary—we refocus and move on. Sometimes, though, the distraction runs deeper. It forces us to pause, reflect, and wrestle with bigger questions.

Recently, we’ve experienced a few of those moments ourselves. Circumstances have caused us to step back, pray deeply, and seek clarity about what God is doing. While I can’t share the details, I can say this: we are choosing not to let these distractions pull us away from what God has clearly called us to right now.

Instead, we’re leaning into prayer, discernment, and intentional communication—trusting that God is at work in ways we can’t yet fully see.

And on the other side of this? We expect to see evidence of His grace and His love in powerful ways.

That’s my prayer for you as well.

​When distractions come—and they will—don’t lose your focus. Stay faithful. Stay grounded. And trust that God is still leading.
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— Jay

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