“Do you remember the story of Job? It’s a story of great suffering, but also of great strength, and even greater faith. Like in the story of Job, it can feel overwhelming to not be able to have a simple answer to suffering and hardship as we are enduring it, but God gives Himself as the ultimate answer. He is the ultimate comforter and healer, and He is our Redeemer.
I don’t know of anyone who likes to wait! It seems we are being asked to “wait” a lot lately. We have become so accustomed to instant gratification that waiting is seldom any more. We have insta-cart, on-line banking, drive-through windows, and mobile apps that meet our every demand almost from the moment we tap, touch, or talk to the screen. Waiting is hard
Just because something is familiar doesn’t mean that it is right! Old ways have to die for new to spring forth.
We are living in some very scary times. The fear is visible. The fear of getting infected with the COVID-19 virus; the fear of your loved ones getting infected; the fear of what the future holds financially; the fear of the unknown. It is controlling our every move and decision and it needs to stop. It’s making us sick!
I am pretty sure, like me, you feel bombarded with what is going on all around us- the news of CoVid 19, the collapse of the stock market, job loss, and fears for our future. How can we as God’s people keep ourselves in peace during times like these?
“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.” – Proverbs 4:25
To focus means to center your attention in one direction. When we lose our focus, our motivation starts to fade which can make the quality of what we are doing, decrease.
Often times in life while listening to the voice of God and following His directions, somewhere down the road, we still allow people/circumstances cloud our vision – blinding and distracting us of moving forward.
Horses that pull wagons and carriages wear blinders. Have you ever wondered why? The purpose of these blinders is to prevent the horse from looking anywhere else but forward – it prevents them from becoming distracted or panicked by their surrounding. These horses are on a mission, meaning they cannot afford to be distracted. In life neither do you and me.
With all this being said, these past two weeks have been a challenge for me. I got somewhat discouraged by certain things that were happening and started to forget the reason of the season I am in. I quickly realized I needed to let go of the distractions and refocus my perspective. And just like the carriage pulling horses, I needed to put my blinders on.
Keeping focus is difficult. But taking your eyes off of God’s purpose is not an option. It will lead you in the wrong direction.
Where is your focus fixed on today? Anxiety? Discouragement? Hopelessness? Are you focusing on what is happening around instead of in front? Narrow down your focus. The moment you do, you close off but one line of thought – God’s. Let your eyes look straight ahead – not beside you, nor behind you but before you. Having a 2020 vision means having a perfect vision. Don’t lose your 2020 focus
Read also: What is your focus on?
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are
God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5
I haven’t always been the best person. I haven’t always walked in faith. I haven’t always known grace.
Someone once asked me, “If God were looking at you right now, what do you think He would say?” In that moment, I instantly thought about all of the sins I’ve committed, all of the people I’ve hurt, all of those moments where I couldn’t believe I just did/said that. You know, everything I had done wrong.
In light of current events and the culture in which we are living, it just isn’t the time to sit in our comfortable pews and think we are doing all we can. YES, scripture is clear that in the last days we will see a moral decay BUT it is also clear that we are to stay diligent in His service and work!
The heart of every bank is its vault. Locked metal cubbies line the walls, but can only be accessed with the owner’s identification and a closely guarded key. It makes you wonder, “What could possibly be in there?” Something of value, to be sure. Of course, not everything that is valuable will fit inside a safe deposit box.