Choosing Focus - TT#4
Throwback Thursday #4 - August 2019
{Written Friday, September 21, 2007}
I am longing to move past my own over-analysis of events and the fear of being misunderstood. Instead, I want to remember that I will not let a person's actions or reactions dictate whether or not I choose to be like Jesus. I must let the Holy Spirit lead me - always. I can only focus on one thing... either it will be the behavior and choices of others - OR - it will be my faithful and gracious Savior. I choose my faithful and gracious Savior! If I am so drawn to focus on the earthly, I will not be truly surrendered to the ways of God. My fears, my concerns, and my daily demands may seem like powerful giants; but my strength, my peace, and my protection are all anchored in the One whose power created the whole heavens and the earth.
So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity.
St. Augustine prayed, "O Lord, deliver me from this lust of always vindicating myself." Similarly, Oswald Chambers wrote, "God is the only being who can stand the slander of what arises because the devil and pain and sin are in the world. Stand true to the life hid with Christ in God, and the facts you have to face."
Our Lord was never caught up in vindicating Himself, and not only does He not need my feeble help to justify Him now, He needs me to follow His example. It's time to let go of continually trying to vindicate myself or endlessly explaining so that I am not misunderstood - it's time to leave all of that with God. Any perceived missteps and mistakes (mine or others) are best brought to the Lord, in honest and humble reflection, so that I can welcome every sunrise of tomorrow a little better than I left the sunset of today.
In God's perfect and amusing timing, as I opened my journal, I rediscovered these notes tucked inside...
So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity. Don't trade your life for temporary things.
Jesus taught, "Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62, NLT).
Paul encouraged...
"Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world {or another} thrusts on you.
This world as you see it, is on its way out." (1 Corinthians 7:31, MSG)
God, you are so good to me. Keep my eyes, my attention, and my affections focused on You, rather than so easily distracted by the dry, dusty fodder of this world!
August 1, 2019
How does your day end up looking and feeling when you become distracted by the lesser things or by the need to vindicate yourself?
How is your heart, your mind, and your spirit transformed when you intentionally focus on God's call on your life (the next right thing), rather than on what others think of you or assume your priorities should be?
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