May 1, 2024

Too Distracted for God's Word

By Crossworld

USA Story Child-student ministry Evangelism Salvation-baptism

U.S. — “See you later, Dilip,” Crossworld worker Clay said after finishing a game of volleyball with his friends.

They started to say goodbye but 45 minutes later they were still engaged in conversation.

That’s when Dilip opened up about his spiritual journey.

“I want to read the Bible, but every time I try, something gets in the way,” Dilip said. “I get interrupted, I oversleep, or something else hinders me from reading.”

Dilip had come from Central Asia to study in the U.S. He was introduced to Jesus and liked what he heard, so he had started attending Clay’s church to learn more.

“Satan wants to keep us from God’s Word, and he uses all kinds of things to distract us,” Clay said. “Do you want to go read together right now?”

Dilip eagerly agreed.

They sat down in the student center and opened the Bible app on their phones, but Dilip said, “We really should be using our Bibles. Let’s go get them.”

They packed up their things and drove to Dilip’s house a few minutes away. On the way back, Dilip decided to stop for something to eat.

I wonder if we’ll really read tonight or if these hindrances will win again, Clay thought.

Back at the student center for the second time, they pulled out their Bibles. That’s when Dilip noticed a verse inside the cover of his Bible that he had written there months ago.

“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” — 2 Corinthians 4:4, ESV

In that moment, something clicked for Dilip.

“That’s what’s been happening to me!” he said. “All the distractions are not coincidence; the god of this world is trying to keep me from seeing Christ clearly in his Word.”

Resolved to let nothing else distract him, Dilip turned to the book of John where he and Clay began to read — finally — about Jesus.

Clay thanked God for working even in the chaos of the evening. God’s plan for Dilip was more powerful than any work of the enemy.

Dilip continued to read the Bible and pray, both on his own and with other believers. A few months later he surrendered his life to Christ and put his faith in Jesus.

The people in this story are real, but some names have been changed to protect their privacy.