Chess players can’t stop touching their faces: Focus in a day of distraction

Chess players competing in a tournament on the edge
of Siberia are cleaning their hands regularly and undergoing twice-daily
medical checkups. But they are struggling to stop touching their faces.

According to neurologists, there is a direct connection between heavy cognitive stress and “spontaneous facial self-touches.”

Focus for chess players can apparently be dangerous in a day
of coronavirus. But in a time when we are working from home and the news
bombards us with distractions, it can also be vital for our souls.

Focus in a day of distraction

In Exodus 31 we read, “The LORD said to Moses, ‘See, I
have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,
and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence,
with knowledge and all craftsmanship” (vv. 1–3).

For what purpose?

“To devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft” (vv. 4–5).

Bezalel’s gifting and calling were to make the tabernacle, known as the “tent of meeting,” with all that it would include (vv. 7–11).

It was vital that Bezalel do the work for which God equipped
and called him. If he allowed his ego or the needs and acclaim of others to
push him into other arenas, he would have missed his best and God’s best for
him.

Unfortunately, such distractions are especially tempting.

It can be easy to become bored with what we do best, or our pride drives us to show that we can do even more, or we allow the needs of others to constitute our call.

This is especially true with those who are gifted in such a
way that they can measure success by the acclaim of others. I’m thinking of
artists, performers, preachers, and writers (myself included).

If you’re not sure of your spiritual gifts, I invite you to take this inventory that our ministry offers. You can also assess your abilities and…