Stay Focused!!!!

Focus!!!!!!

I’m hollering this at my daughter as I type! She’s supposed to be in the shower, however she is practicing her leaps in the bathroom with the water running. As a matter of fact, I am constantly telling my kids to focus on something. If you are a parent, teacher, coach, or anyone else who spends time with kids, you share my pain in this.

If a child is not focused at school, their grades suffer or they get in trouble. Lack of focus in a sport causes them to not excel and could cause them to be injured or injure others. Most of the time at home it’s just an annoyance to us as parents, because it means they are not listening to us or following our commands.

Lack of focus causes a number of issues!

However, it’s not just kids that need the constant reminder to focus. It is also our spouses, friends, and even ourselves. As a matter of fact, it has taken me a lot more time than I want to admit to write this. Why? Because I can’t stay focused! I’ve been yelling, “FOCUS!” to myself as well.

There are different kinds of focus, too. There is focus on a task. Focus on what the real problem is. Focus on the good. Focus on the need. Lots and lots of different ways to focus!

Why is it such a problem for us to focus on these things? Because it means taking the attention off ourselves and putting it elsewhere. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, yet it so difficult for all of us. We all fall victim to it at some point simply because we are human. We drop our eyes from Christ and focus on our surroundings instead.

Take Martha for example. She kept her focus on her house and mad hospitality skills. All while her sister, Mary, was sitting at the feet of Jesus with her full attention on Him. When she got upset, Jesus used it to bring Martha’s focus back to Him. (Luke 10:38-42)

There is also King David who was briefly distracted by a pretty sight bathing and lost his focus. His attention turned from God’s calling to David’s desires. It lead to lying and death. God sent Nathan to show him his sin and help him turn his focus back to God. (2 Samuel 11-12)

What about Peter? He stepped out of a boat in the middle of the lake with strong winds and waves all around. He walked on the water towards Jesus until he lost focus. He was distracted by the wind and waves and took his eyes off Jesus out of fear. Jesus still reached out and brought Peter’s focus back to Him. (Matthew 14:22-33)

There are numerous stories like this in the Bible. But it is not just those people of long ago that lose focus on Jesus. We do it, too! We do it out of busyness, fear, complacency, worry, grief,  pretty shiny things, etc. When this happens we begin to sink like Peter. Hopefully it is brief, but it is never without consequences.

Martha’s was bitterness with her sister and losing valuable face time with Jesus.

David’s turned him into a murder and cost him the life of his first son.

Peter’s was almost drowning and, I imagine, great guilt when he realized his lack of faith in the moment.

The beautiful part of all of these stories is grace! In each instance God could choose to turn away. Instead He calls them out and gives them the chance to refocus on Him. He does the same for us! He gives us opportunities to repent and refocus!

After Jesus predicts His death a second time, Luke 9:51 says, “As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Some versions say, “set His face to go to Jerusalem.” In other words, He was focused! Jesus knew His calling. He set His face to it and didn’t get distracted by fear, pretty things, worry, grief, or even the easy way out. All of His attention was on the cross! Not on Himself or His immediate desires. His focus was on you!

Right after focusing on Jerusalem, Jesus shows us the cost to follow Him.  (Luke 9:57-62) A man says he will follow Jesus wherever He goes and Jesus reminds him He has no real home on this earth. He calls another man to follow Him who replies that he will as soon as he buries his father. Another ask to go say goodbye to his family first. But in verse 62 Jesus says, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Jesus shows us that to follow Him means focus! Focus on Him, on His task, on His love! It’s about our attention turning to God and building His kingdom instead of attention to self. It’s about keeping our eyes on Him so we stay on the task at hand.

If we are going to follow Jesus we must turn our faces to the cross just as He did!

Last Thursday night, we were all doing our task before bed and all 5 of us ended up in the kitchen. Justin’s task was loading the dish washer. Sara Beth’s was taking her medicine. Gavin and I were sorting laundry. Honestly, I can’t remember what Barry was supposed to be doing, maybe helping Justin.  Barry and I were talking about something and got so tickled. So much so he spewed the water he had just taken a sip of almost right on top of Justin! That got all of us, except Justin, laughing uncontrollably. It was a great family moment! You know the ones, where you are all laughing and taking turns saying silly things so you keep laughing until your belly hurts and you can hardly breathe.

Still, with all of this going on, Justin did not seem to realize we were even in the house. He didn’t laugh, look up, or even slow down working on those dishes. We all began to pick at him a little trying to get his attention and make him join in the fun. It just didn’t work.

I got a little frustrated that he was missing out on this laugh fest. So as soon as he finished the dishes I asked why he was ignoring us. He looked up bewildered.

 “I didn’t hear any of that going on. I’m sorry. I was just focused on getting the dishes finished.”

As I laid down for bed the whole story started running through my mind. I realized I want to be more like Justin. I want to be so focused on my task to share Christ that I do not even notice the other things around me. With my eyes on Jesus I want to take the attention off me and put it on others. Loving others and making disciples for Him!

I hope this is your desire, too. To stay focused on God! To stay focused on the cross! You may feel like you are sinking at some point, but remember, there is grace. Just refocus!

 As long as you keep your eyes on Jesus you can walk on water!

Let’s pray for each other to stay focused. Pray the distractions will not be seen or heard. If you see a friend that is distracted help them refocus. Show them the same grace and love God has shown you.

You've Got The Wrong Girl

I’ve had my spiritual “that shoe” sitting in my closet for some time now. Like about 3 years! Eek!!! I would put it on from time to time, but never wore it long. Truthfully, I really didn’t even put it all the way on. I would just put one foot in and tell myself that was good enough.

Failure!

I fought God and argued as if I were a top lawyer defending my case to the Supreme Court. I tried convincing Him there was absolutely, positively, no way on earth I could do what He was asking. I would then proceed to tell Him all the reasons this was just impossible. Yet, He kept overruling me.

God clearly showed me that He wanted me to speak and to write about Him. To tell what He has done for me and what He wants to do for many. I first told Him I would speak. After all, I talk a LOT! I could handle that. My condition was that I would just sit back and do nothing. If someone called and asked me to speak I would. I never dreamed that would really happen. But it did. So I promised Him I would continue to speak as long as someone asked.

That was not enough. He didn’t just call me to speak, He called me to write. This is where we really fought.

Those that know me know grammar is not my thing. AT ALL! I can’t even type to save my life!

(This is a good time to thank all of you grammar people for your patience when you read my blog. You must have the patience of Job. Thank you!)

Here is a story from a couple of years ago to prove how bad I am. I was waiting on my daughter to get out of gymnastics practice and took the time to have a phone chat with a dear woman of God. As a matter of fact, she was counselling me through this very thing. She gave me this amazing verse in Jeremiah 20:9, “His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”

This verse spoke so much to me that I had to share it with everyone on Facebook. So before we pulled out of the parking lot I typed it up and proudly posted it. I barely got a half a mile up the road when my phone started blowing up.

To my horror, I didn’t type the word “shut”. I had posted another 4 letter s-word in a Bible verse for all the world to see. My face must have been as red as a tomato as I tried to figure out how to fix it before anyone else saw it or screen shot it.

This became evidence in my defense against God’s calling. I pulled it out often. After all, someone who puts cuss words in scripture has no right to write for God. I had many other examples in my evidence pile. 

How was He not getting this? Why would He not declare this trail over, ruling in my favor?

After tiring from the fight I began to breakdown and listen as God brought his evidence to me. He did not disprove my evidence. Rather, He said I was right. He affirmed my failures, mistakes, and inadequacies.

Then He told me that is exactly why I’m qualified! God gets all the glory when I do something I cannot do in my own power!

My prayer has been for my life to bring glory to God. This is what He was offering me. He was answering my prayer. Yet, I was so scared and caught up in my weaknesses I could not see any of this.

When I gave in just a couple of months ago, He began to open doors for resources to help me everywhere I turned. One resource was the She Speaks Conference. It is for women who have felt called by God to lead, speak, and/or write. They offer training and great resources to help you.  God provided the funding for me and a friend to attend in just 3 weeks! Amazing!

Not only did He open doors, but He provided me with peace I have not felt since I first told Him, “no.” Through this acceptance I have drawn closer to God and found a new enthusiasm in Him and His Word. What an amazing feeling!

Spring has not only sprung up new life around me, but inside of me because of saying, “Yes, Lord!”

I have not shared this story for you to see just what is going on in my life. I have shared it so you can experience this peace and enthusiasm as well.

I know that there is someone reading this right now who has fought with God. Maybe you are fighting a calling like me. Maybe you are fighting reaching out to someone in love. Maybe you are fighting a conviction of sin God wants you to leave behind. Maybe you are not sure why you are fighting Him.

You feel like all your evidence is being dismissed. You don’t know what else to do. You just know you are worn out from the fight.

Say, “Yes, Lord.” to whatever it is. Tell Him you need His help. He will help you!

Remember that God’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses and His grace is sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Also, whatever He asks of us He will empower us for it and carry it out to completion. (Hebrews 13:20-21; Philippians 1:6)

I want you to know this peace, this closeness, this enthusiasm! Yes, it can still be scary. You may still feel unworthy. That’s okay. It keeps you humble and focused on God and His strength. There is no greater calling than that!

So I am praying for you. I’m praying you say, “Yes, Lord.” I’m praying you stayed focused on Him. I’m praying you glorify Christ through your weaknesses. I hope you will pray for me as well.

The 5 Shoes: That Shoe

 Everyone has “that shoe” sitting on a pedestal in their closet. You know the one I’m talking about! It’s different for each of us. For some, it’s a nice athletic shoe. For others, it’s a pair of boots or a cute wedge. No matter what kind it is, all “that shoes” have the same characteristics. They go something like this…

You walk into the shoe department and there you see it! Everything disappears except for you and “that shoe”. It’s calling out to you.

 “Take me home! You need me!”

You pick it up and it’s like you are Cinderella. This is your glass slipper! It fits perfectly! You must take it home. You know it’s not what you are there for, but it’s destiny.

You get “that shoe” home and put it in just the right spot of the closet. You walk in each day and admire how beautiful it is. You think about that special moment in the store when it called to you and fit just right. But you don’t dare put it on. You want to, but you are afraid.

You fear you may mess it up if you wear it. After all, it’s been raining lately. Maybe you fear you can’t really pull off “that shoe” with the limited outfit choices you have. Or, maybe you simply don’t have the right occasion to wear them. It could even just be out of season right now.

You admire it sitting in your closet and vow to wear it when everything lines up just right. However, that day doesn’t come. Then one day you walk in and see “that shoe” and realize it’s too late. It doesn’t fit, it is out of style, or you can no longer wear that style anymore.

You could have been wearing “that shoe” that made you feel like a princess, but instead you let it waste away in your closet. All because you were scared of what would happen if you did.

We all have “that shoe” in our spiritual lives, too. It is your gift or your calling that God has given you. It was made specifically for you and only you. Just like Cinderella and her slipper, it will only fit you.

All too often we let it sit on the pedestal in our closet admiring it and wanting to put it on, but we are afraid. We are fearful that we are not worthy of it, we’ll mess it up, or maybe others will not like it or would do a better job. All the while it is sitting, being wasted, until it’s too late.

This is crazy! God doesn’t make mistakes and He gave you this gift, this calling.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance to your faith; if it is serving, then serve, if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:6-8

These are a few examples of our possible gifts, and our callings are how we use these gifts. God may be calling you to serve in the nursery or He may be calling you to serve at your local homeless shelter. He may be asking you to start a Bible study or to move to a foreign country to teach and share His love. Maybe you should be encouraging a neighbor or maybe He wants you to write encouragements to local, state, or national leaders. The possibilities are endless.

I get that it could be out of your comfort zone. I know it is probably scary for you, even if it seems minor to others. It’s scary because it is not something we can do on our own. We don’t like to feel incapable of something. However, If God has called you, there is no need for fear. His power is made perfect in our weakness! (2 Corinthians 12:9) He will enable you to carry it out to completion.

Let’s all commit to start actually wearing our spiritual “that shoe”. Let’s quit just looking at it sitting there waiting for the conditions to be just right. Imagine the difference we can all make if we will all put them on! It may not be easy at first. We may have to wear them a little at a time to break them in. But we can and should put them on.

I’m working on the challenge of wearing “that shoe” myself. Next week I will share with you what it is for me and why I am terrified. I’m so thankful for the Lord’s patience with me it.