Preparing to go

There are just a few minutes left before it's time for another weekend at Crossroads.

Sitting here watching Ohio State begin I decide to mute the TV for a few minutes and make sure I'm prepared to go.

I would guess in order for the Word of God that's about to be taught to actually affect my life, I need to prepare to hear.  To make sure I'm really ready to HEAR and apply the spoken truths.

I assume I should check my heart for any un-forgiveness and confess anything that remains.

To make sure I have cleared my mind of all distractions so that as I walk into Crossroads I can say that Christ holds first place in my life.

I would assume, that only if these preparations have been made will I truly receive what God needs me to hear so that it can become a part of me for all of eternity.

And now I will go, prepared by the Lord for the Lord.  

I'm excited to see what the Lord has for all of us!

I'm often distracted

I probably get the most frustrated with myself when I get distracted.  Facebook, Twitter etc I can turn off.

My distractions are often things that cross my path that are none of my business, but I make them my business by trying to solve problems or asking dumb questions when I have PLENTY to do right in front of me.  It's often shocking to remember the world can survive without me managing everything…

recently I've had to confess to the Lord that I'm dwelling on things that feel unfair.

Like how our kids are working like crazy to pay baby bills and to secure a future for themselves while others we know similar in age choose not to marry, not to work and let the government pay for baby, send them to college free and put food on their tables, food that they are physically more then capable of working for.

Now with my mom's illness I can go down that path again.  She's loved the Lord and served Him faithfully her entire life - why cancer - feels unfair.  Then I realize how that line of thought must cause the Lord to be so disappointed in me.  Because if I had His Words hidden in my heart I would remember that the greatest reward for a life well lived is to be in His presence.  To be spared from evil here on earth.

To stand in front of Him and hear "well down my good and faithful servant" coming out of his mouth should make it the deepest desire of my heart, to get out of here, to be present with Him.

But the distractions of my life here on earth tantalize my attention away from Him - away from a deep understanding of how pale all of this is in comparison to Him.

My prayer today is for singular focus, and that I'll have an unquenchable desire for Him that deadlines, and gossip, and problems can't cause me to be distracted.

dis·trac·tion

1. extreme agitation of the mind or emotions.

   synonyms:

   frenzy, hysteria, mental distress, madness, insanity, mania;

facing forward

Have you ever followed a man driver and watched him closely? I did today.

I followed a pick up truck with a man and his dog. If the man ever faced forward as he drove I didn't see him do it! I am not kidding, the guy's head turned back and forth looking everywhere except straight forward! I have seen this in many men as they drive.

I keep my eyes straight forward when I drive. Mostly out of the fear of hurting someone else and partly because I usually am not interested in anything except my destination. This is not only how we should drive but also how we should live, facing forward. There are certainly things we need to pay attention to along the way, but we need focus and know where we are headed.

When I do get distracted looking this way and that, it always has consequences.

I sometimes wonder what opportunities I didn't even see due to 'looking around' instead of facing forward. Funny thing is I have had many opportunities lately to encourage others to keep moving forward, walk in His will only, don't compromise. I need to listen to my own advice. And although I don't spend my days committing horrible sin in the world's eyes - Jesus had to die because of sin like gossip, and pride, and jealousy and stinginess too! Think of that! Not one of us are without sin and not one of us are without need of a savior. Facing forward means doing what He called each of us to do on this earth, it is not that hard to discover what you are created to do. Just face forward - keep moving toward God - live obediently, study God's Word and move forward, straight forward!