Keep the Focus

I will be the first to admit that the last few weeks at work have been rough.  We've been reorganizing personnel due to one of the doctors leaving.  In the midst of that we had a staff member with a family emergency and another turn in their two weeks’ notice.  As the manager of the office, the majority of the pressure to fix these issues has all been on me, making it extremely difficult to keep up.  So, in the back of my mind even when I am at home (or anywhere else really) I’m thinking about work.  I’m trying to sort out all of the changes and work through the process that is needed in order to get everything back to “normal”. 

As I’m going through this time I have had another thought cross my mind: If I didn’t have God walking with me through all of this could I handle it as well as I am?  Honestly, at the end of every day I’m exhausted, but would I go completely crazy without Him here with me?  Would all of this effect my mood more than it has.

You see, when a person’s ultimate focus is on God and everything else is a far-off second place then problems like these won’t take that person down.  God knows what I’m going through right now at work and knows that I am going to make it through this tough time.  He sees the light at the end of the tunnel even when I don’t and He is directing me there.  God knows that I’m going to be victorious in all of this so that He can revel in that victory.  It’s those realizations that allow me to get through.

This is just an example of what He is reminding me of lately, and I hope it’ll help you through whatever you are going through as well:

1 Peter 5:7-10

[7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

[8] Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

[10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. [11] To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Alone Time

Last Thursday and Friday I took a trip with my friend Larry.  It was a quick trip down into southern Indiana where we had the opportunity to see a number of things related to the movie Hoosiers and the Milan team that inspired the movie.

As much as the trip was about going to see these attractions, it was just as much about spending time with a good friend.  We regularly contact one another about day-to-day happenings; however, we don’t normally get to spend much “face time” with one another when others aren’t around or for any real length of time.

I mention this trip because it can be used to emphasize the importance of reconnecting with God when you think that you haven’t been as close as you’d like to be.  Just as Larry and I did by going on this trip, sometimes you need some time away with God in order to make your relationship with Him stronger.  Sometimes you need to have that one-on-one time with God in order to talk with Him about things that you don’t have time to do in the midst of the day-to-day of your life.  Another benefit of that alone time with God is when you focus on Him, your chances of hearing what He has to say is only going to be stronger.

If you haven’t had that alone time with God lately, then maybe it’s time to get away.  You don’t have to go far to get that time in… as God is much closer than you think.