When Doing Distracts: Recovering the Rhythms That Root Us in Christ

 “I pray that He may grant you…to be strengthened with power in your inner being through His Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”

— Ephesians 3:16–17 (CSB)

In Paul’s prayer to the Ephesian church, we catch a glimpse of what it means to live a Spirit-filled life—one where inner strength and divine presence reshape us from the inside out. But what happens when life becomes so full of “doing” that we stop listening? I’ve found myself drifting from that awareness—not out of rebellion, but distraction.

The Hidden Cost of Good Activity

Even when serving, planning, or creating for the Kingdom, it’s possible to lose touch with the King. My pressure point? Living distracted—focused more on outcomes than on attentiveness. The Spirit may be willing, but my schedule is noisy. I do, produce, and press on, but I risk missing the subtle movements of Christ within.

A Small Faith-Step That Reorients Me

One rhythm that helps re-center me is journaling. Not the polished kind, but simple reflections that notice God’s fingerprints across my day—what I’ve come to call “God sightings.” It’s astounding how much divine activity goes unnoticed when we don’t slow down and look.

I ask myself:

• Where did I sense Christ’s presence?
• What stirred peace, conviction, or wonder?
• Where did I run ahead of His prompting?

Even when I feel spiritually dry, these reflections help trace the faint paths where grace still moves.

From Doing to Listening: Suggested Rhythms

To recover attention and deepen awareness, here are spiritual rhythms that have nourished Christians across generations:

Rhythm	What It Cultivates
Silence & Solitude	Space to hear God’s whisper
Scripture Meditation	Slow soaking in divine truth
Examen (Daily Review)	Noticing God’s movement and your response
Fasting & Simplicity	Loosening the grip of noise and excess
Community & Confession	Shared grace and honest reflection
Sabbath	Intentional rest and delight in God
Sacrificial Generosity	Trusting God through open-handedness

These are not one-size-fits-all mandates—they’re invitations. Some may energize you; others may stretch you. But all move us from a faith of theory to a faith of awareness.

The Supernatural Work Beneath the Surface

When we slow down enough to listen, we begin to sense that Ephesians 3 reality:

• Christ truly dwells in our hearts.
• The Spirit actively strengthens our inner being.
• God’s presence shapes our thoughts, actions, and even our reactions.

It’s not self-improvement—it’s supernatural intervention.

Closing Invitation

If you find yourself drifting too, maybe start with one rhythm. Journal once this week. Sit in silence for fi
ve minutes. Ask Christ to re-root Himself not only in your theology, but in your Tuesday afternoon.

And don’t wait for the perfect mood or moment. He already dwells within you—through faith—and He’s ready to speak.  Remember, you don't have to "feel" that Jesus is present in order to know that He is!