My Compelling Focus

“I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover.  I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14 TPT)

A person’s sense of style can often reveal their personality and their priorities. Conformists wear whatever is trendy, status seekers buy expensive clothes and accessories, and rebels dress in counter-culture attire. Color, fit, and confidence are the keys to a good sense of style. 

I have always admired people who know who they are and express their uniqueness. I enjoy colorful clothes and fun accessories. However, something has shifted within me. I can still appreciate someone with a good sense of style, but I find myself focusing less on the way I look. To others, it may seem that I have “let myself go”--that I have become lazy or careless about my physical appearance. This is partially true. I am no longer bothered by optics. My mind is occupied by other priorities. Maturity brings a sense of urgency, a realization of how limited our time on earth really is. I do not want to fritter away my healthy years maintaining an image, seeking applause,  distracting myself with pleasure, accumulating stuff, or otherwise adorning my ego. It is time to let myself go...to focus on God’s purpose.

  

“So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, God will reveal it to them. And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion. (Philippians 3:15-16 TPT)

Drawing On Grace

“We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom.” (2 Corinthians 1:12 NLT)

If I were to make a pie chart on the resources I go to on any given day, what would it look like? Do I rely mostly on human wisdom, relationships, health, wealth, abilities, etc.? Or do I depend exclusively on the grace of God? 

God’s grace is like a deep well filled with pure water. Prayer is the action by which we lower the bucket, wait for it to fill, and pull up what we need. Time and effort are involved. While it may be tempting to dip our cup in muddy puddles that are easily accessible, this is not advisable. Go straight to God. Lower your empty bucket. Draw from His abundant grace. Nothing else is sustainable. 

Daily Check

“Let's take a good look at the way we're living and reorder our lives under God.” (Lamentations 3:40 MSG)

Every morning, I use my coffee maker to make a full pot of coffee. I throw away the paper filter with yesterday’s coffee grounds, rinse out the carafe, put in a new filter, scoop in coffee powder, and fill the coffee maker with new water. Then, I wait. The water heats up; the coffee percolates--transferring its  essence into the water; the filter strains what I need into the pot. This first cup of coffee sets the tone for my day. 

Even on days when I am in a rush, I never reuse yesterday’s coffee grounds or just add new coffee powder into the old filter. Each day gets a fresh filter and new coffee powder.

Similarly, every morning I wait for a fresh perspective from the Holy Spirit. I do not use yesterday’s filter. I examine my mind. I pass my thoughts, actions, words, and attitude through a clean spirit. I move forward where the Lord leads and pause when He pulls me back. I take a good look at the way I am living and reorder my life under God.

Persisting Under Criticism

“Everything we do is meant to build you up and make you stronger in your faith.” (2 Corinthians 12:19 TPT)

I volunteer as an assistant coach for an afterschool running program. I signed up for this mainly because the head coach is a good friend. My goals are to encourage the kids to recognize their own potential and to build them up when they feel defeated. If anyone in the community were to question my motives for volunteering with these kids, I would probably quit coaching. While coaching kids to run is an interesting project, I don’t feel like it is my calling. 

St. Paul volunteered his services to the community in Corinth. Those who chose to discredit him spread rumors that St. Paul was taking advantage of the community, questioning his motives and his credentials to teach. Yet, Paul didn’t give up; to him, teaching was not a hobby but a calling. 

I am blessed to have time to contemplate, study, pray, and write. I am glad to freely share what I learn.  I am motivated by a deep desire to build others up and make them stronger in faith. But what if people questioned my motives--accused me of taking advantage of them, pushing my agenda, or being inauthentic? Would I quit? Or, like St. Paul, would I be able to persist, knowing that teaching is a calling, and not merely an interesting project? 

Portals of Power

“For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power.” (2 Corinthians 12:10 TPT)

At the end of a recent marathon, the ‘runners recovery zone’ was cordoned off from the spectators. I wandered out from the area and had a difficult time finding my way back in to meet my husband as he crossed the finish line. I walked around the metal barricades looking for an entryway. Eventually, I found a gap between the barriers and got back in. This allowed me to meet my husband as he finished, bring him water and warm clothes, and stay with him while he recovered. 

Similarly, I imagine God walking around the mental barricades that we have put up around our pain, searching for an access point. The limitations in our abilities, the gaps in our defenses, become the portals of God’s power. His grace finds full expression in our weaknesses. For it is in times of fragility that we are most able to sense the power of God. Thus, our deficiencies and difficulties can be useful, if we allow the Lord to come in and take over. HIS sufficiency  more than compensates for our insufficiency. 

Visions and Revelations

“There is nothing to be gained by it, but I must brag about the visions and other things that the Lord has shown me.” (2 Corinthians 12:1 CEV)

There are many instances of visions and revelations in the Bible. It’s easier to think of these Divine communications as a thing of the past. These days, if someone claims to have had any sort of revelation from God, our natural reaction is skepticism.  We wonder if that person is being pretentious or merely hallucinating! Unfortunately, there are plenty of counterfeit reports of encounters and conversations with God. This causes most of us to doubt Divine nudges and insights.    

Visions and revelations are meant for greater understanding and intimacy with God.  The impact of Divine communication is minimized by doubt and our natural instinct for self-preservation. When I am given an insight that I think came from God, I am reluctant to tell anyone else about it--especially to those who may think I’m crazy or just pretending to be a holy know-it-all. There is a fine line between boasting and sharing. While boasting is motivated by the desire to call attention to self, sharing seeks the glory of  God. There may not be any personal profit in sharing what the Lord reveals, but there is much benefit to all. 

That's Impressive

“Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me - you failed to do it to me.” (Matthew 25:45 MSG)

I once met an acquaintance at her workplace for lunch. She showed me her office--decorated with expensive sculptures and artwork--mentioned how well-connected she was with the executives and how everyone praised her work. Yet, I noticed how she ignored the janitors and spoke condescendingly to the cafeteria workers.  A few months later, she invited me to her home--a huge mansion filled with more expensive things. During dinner, she spoke of her travels, her wealthy neighbors, her interior decorator, and the rugs she had shipped in from exotic countries. Yet, I noticed how she treated her husband and children. They seemed to be mere accessories to further her image.  Needless to say, I was not impressed.

I am not bowled over by the trappings of wealth and power. Even youth, strength, and beauty fail to excite me. However, I admire those who are kind to the marginalized, the under-resourced, and the ignored. I am deeply impressed when someone is on a first name basis with the cashiers at Walmart,  goes out of their way to acknowledge a stranger, and treats service workers with respect. When we acknowledge the powerless--those who are unable to reciprocate, elevate our status, or further our ambitions--we unveil grace. The way we treat those who seem unimportant, when no one is watching, reveals our true character.