Back In Time: What Are You Chasing?

Again this week I decided to go back in time a bit and re-post an older Momentum for everyone to read again.  I think the lesson here is solid and so I wanted to share it again.  This was originally posted on 4/24/09.  Don't worry, I've got new stuff in the works for the next few weeks.

We make fun of animals that chase their tales. We enjoy infants who chase after their older siblings. We chase after the next promotion or pay raise at work. The question is, are you chasing the most important thing of all: Jesus!

Of the things that we follow in life, I know that I personally am more than willing to check in on my favorite sports teams and see how the game is going or what the score was if I missed it. I read the paper to make sure I'm following what is going on locally inpolitics, sales at the local stores, and local sports teams. Yet, I'm not quite as good at keeping up with the one thing that is most important, I'm not the best at daily reading the Bible. 

A lot of people don't think that it's important, and I was one of those people for a long time. Yet, here I sit thinking that I need to do something in the word every day. Yes, I read a few devotions every day, and I try (and I mean try, as I hate reading more than you'll ever understand) reading a book focusing on him. Yet, I realize more and more every day that I don't know the Bible the way I should. How can I keep the enemy from getting a foot hold in my life without having the proper weapons to fight him off? The answer is, I cannot. 

So, overall, what am I saying here? I'm saying that although I'm an Elder at the church I'm not perfect and don't do everything I should do every day. I will say this, the first step to taking care of that is figuring that out. I'm striving to get better and chase HIM on a daily basis. Yes, doing a devotion is a good start, and doing my book reading is good as well...but if I'm not fully involved in the word then I'm just taking the easy way out. So, are you chasing Him, or being like I was and not fulling preparing for today's battles? Let's work together in strengthening God's army by making ourselves better prepared warriors: Let's chase Him every day.

Overwhelming

I have to be completely honest with you all, life has been a bit overwhelming for me lately.  At home we’re involved in the normal busyness that you have when both parents have multiple jobs, and all three kids are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities.  At work we’ve had a lot of changes and extra work that has really put me behind at my normal day-to-day tasks.

Now I’m not here to complain about all that I have going on.  In fact  I want to do the total opposite of complain.  Instead I’m going to thank God for all the blessings that I do have.  I have a family that I love and that loves me.  My wife Traci is willing to have a hectic schedule in order to allow everyone to do all the things they do and still work two jobs to help us get out of the bondage of debt.  My kids are all gifted in many ways and want to continually develop their talents.  I’m also thankful to have a job when so many do not or are underemployed in this day and age.

You see, I could easily complain about all the stuff that is going on in my life.  Instead I’m going to embrace all of the blessings that God has given me and continue on.  I think that when we focus on God it can easily change that perspective.  If I were focused on the world then I’d complain all the time about everything and let it all keep me down.  Thanks to having God as my focus, I will still complain from time to time but instead will be thankful for the life that I live. 

I’d encourage you as well to examine your perspective on life today. Although I’m sure the sum of the parts can often be overwhelming for you as well as I, I’m also sure that if God is continually the focus, you can easily get through the day-to-day part of your life.  Allow God to work on your days and thank Him for all the blessings He has given you as well.

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.