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Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Where is your focus?!


The other day I was headed to meet a friend for lunch. She and I hadn't seen each other in a long time, and she really wanted to meet my new baby and give me a gift for the little one. So we got in car and headed out to meet my friend. As I was driving on the highway, I decided it was a great time to pray. So I started praying. I prayed for me kids, my husband, family, friends, and the community we live in. 

I was pretty aware of where I was, and where I was going, when suddenly, I began to panic. I noticed I was in an exit lane, and was convinced it was the wrong one. I panicked because I thought I was going the wrong way. So I sped up to get back on the highway. The moment I breathed a sigh of relief, I realized that was indeed my exit. At that point, I had to drive all the way to the next exit, which was pretty far away, make that exit and u-turn to get back on the highway. Then I had to drive all the way back to the exit I should have taken in the first place. 

That's when it hit me. This happens so often in my walk with Christ. I'll ask God for something. I'm all excited about it in the beginning, until doubt creeps in and I begin to panic. I'm convinced that nothing is happening, so God must not be doing anything. Or, I see someone else successfully arriving to the place I've asked God to take me. So I get discouraged and think God has no idea what He's doing, or He's not doing anything, so I need to do things my self. 

I've noticed that when I take matters into my own hands, I find myself moving outside of God's will. I either don't receive the promise, or I have to wait even longer to receive it. Sound familiar? Much like the Israelites and the promised land. They became so consumed by panicked with what they saw, rather than what God told them, and their focus shifted. Therefore, it took them 40 years to reach the promised land. Some didn't even make it.

The Bible says to Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5). God is able to do all things but lie. When we ask Him for something, we can trust that He is able to do what He said He would. We should trust that even when nothing seems to be happening, God is working, so we need to just keep our eyes stayed on Him rather than focus on fear, panic, or discouragement. He's so much bigger than that. When we take our eyes off of Him, we end up going the wrong way.

PAG