Where did January go? If a month had to speed by, I am absolutely thrilled that it happened to be a frigid one. We managed to get our Christmas tree down by the 27th (of January *blush*), and I think I finally put away the last of the Christmas wrapping and bows today! January held some unexpected surprises for our family, as perhaps it did for yours, as well. Nothing like a change of plans to stir things up.
Sometimes unplanned scenarios shake things up a little more than we would like ...
Years ago, before I married Tim, I was privileged to teach in a Christian school near Seattle for three years. It was also a blessing to serve God in my local church. One Sunday I was prepared, or so I thought, to accompany a duet. We had practiced and planned to minister that morning. However, when the right time came, and the singers took their place behind the pulpit - sitting at the piano I was helplessly horrified when I realized that I had the wrong music. There was no way around it. I had to stand up, numbly sulk up two sets of steps (in as dignified a manner as possible - while everyone, no doubt, was watching in wonder and amusement), walk WAY over to the far side of the choir loft, stoop over gracefully, pick up the coveted music book, and return back to my seat at the piano in a timely fashion, all in meek graciosity. It had been, no question, a hectic morning, following a busy week. And to my sad discovery, I had very publicly misplaced my priorities, missing an opportunity to keep the focus completely on God where it should have been.
To this day I find myself checking and re-checking to make sure I have the right music with me, wanting never to repeat that nightmare again! Nowadays, as a wife and mother, I continue to struggle with keeping focused on what is needed right now - God's will for me in the present.
A couple weeks ago my young son brought home a Sunday school paper about Peter walking on the water. A familiar story ... it got me thinking. While Peter exhibited great faith by asking Jesus to help him defy nature, he became distracted by the storm - to the point that he began to sink beneath the waves. His weak faith and fear distracted him from where he should have been focusing - on Jesus. While being disappointed that Peter did not experience the full potential of God's power offered to him, we can completely identify with his weakness. Thankfully, he cried out to Jesus, Who graciously and patiently lifted him up.
To this day I find myself checking and re-checking to make sure I have the right music with me, wanting never to repeat that nightmare again! Nowadays, as a wife and mother, I continue to struggle with keeping focused on what is needed right now - God's will for me in the present.
A couple weeks ago my young son brought home a Sunday school paper about Peter walking on the water. A familiar story ... it got me thinking. While Peter exhibited great faith by asking Jesus to help him defy nature, he became distracted by the storm - to the point that he began to sink beneath the waves. His weak faith and fear distracted him from where he should have been focusing - on Jesus. While being disappointed that Peter did not experience the full potential of God's power offered to him, we can completely identify with his weakness. Thankfully, he cried out to Jesus, Who graciously and patiently lifted him up.
How easily are you and I distracted from God and His will for our lives? As a single woman, wife, mother, are you ever distracted from God's priorities for you by one of the following?
- Food?
- Disorganization/poor planning?
- TV?
- Internet?
- False guilt concerning legalistic expectations?
- Exhaustion?
- E-mail?
- Urgent requests?
- The past?
- Loneliness?
- Books?
- The acceptance you want from other?
- Worry?
- Friends?
- "Over-booking" your schedule because you are afraid to say no?
- Phone calls?
- Working out?
- Serving?
- Fear?
- Aches and pains?
- Discouragement?
- Comparison?
- Discontentment?
- Emotions?
My biggest distractions are on that list. While some on the list aren't "bad" in and of themselves, they can be misused at the wrong time and place (or with wrong motivation). Other items on the list are sins, often wrongly minimized, needing to be confessed and forsaken. It is a daily challenge for me to keep focused on God's will for my life.
How is a woman to keep her focus on God and His will? We must choose our gaze. I didn't say "graze." We are asking for trouble when we aimlessly graze from this patch of grass to that pile of hay - from one "good thing" to another "good thing," without first consulting our Boss, our Manager, our Shepherd. For we may carelessly munch on some poison ivy or nibble on a thorn bush. Or, while filling our tummies with too much verdant foliage, not realize that our wise Shepherd has led the rest of the flock to another place. We can be left behind or lost, missing out on God's best. We can find ourselves, like Peter, sinking down into the cold tameless dread of a life lived outside of God's will.
Here are some verses to meditate on today as you consider your gaze...
How is a woman to keep her focus on God and His will? We must choose our gaze. I didn't say "graze." We are asking for trouble when we aimlessly graze from this patch of grass to that pile of hay - from one "good thing" to another "good thing," without first consulting our Boss, our Manager, our Shepherd. For we may carelessly munch on some poison ivy or nibble on a thorn bush. Or, while filling our tummies with too much verdant foliage, not realize that our wise Shepherd has led the rest of the flock to another place. We can be left behind or lost, missing out on God's best. We can find ourselves, like Peter, sinking down into the cold tameless dread of a life lived outside of God's will.
Here are some verses to meditate on today as you consider your gaze...
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might." Deuteronomy 6:5
"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart! They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways." Psalm 119:1-3
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5
"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You." Isaiah 26:3
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:1-3
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith., who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
Instead of getting discouraged and overwhelmed about ALL that needs to be done, I MUST make time to meet with God to ask Him what He wants me to do right now. Some priorities are clearly stated in His Word. For current situations that are not specified, we can use Biblical principles, consult with our husbands and godly friends, pray for wisdom, and wait for His answer, listening in faith and expectation.
Talk to God about your schedule and let Him help you figure out what is His will for you right now. We won't sink if we keep our eyes, our focus, our gaze on Him.
Talk to God about your schedule and let Him help you figure out what is His will for you right now. We won't sink if we keep our eyes, our focus, our gaze on Him.
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