One, I dread. The other, I anticipate.
They both involve godly people and godly topics and are performed in godly ways. But one leaves me discouraged, while the other spurs me forward.
One talks about things of God. The goals are good. The hearts are sincere. The truths are valid. So why is it hard to see the glory of God in it? Why do I walk away with frustration instead of faith? A lowered spirit instead of a joyful one?
The other focuses directly on and to God. Again, good goals, sincere hearts, and valid truths. But in this gathering, I see and feel and hear the glory of God all in it. I don’t want to walk away at all, but when I do, it’s with a renewed love for my Lord and a stronger conviction of faith in his goodness. I have a blessedness from delighting in His presence.
Why the difference?
Can focusing a few degrees left or right of center, but still on the same chart, bring such a different dynamic compared to focusing dead center? Is a slight shift in focus THAT crucial?
Yes!
I can’t blame one group or give all the credit to the other. Yes, one may hinder; the other may help. But ultimately, I am responsible for my own aim, my own focus. And to give the glory to God when my faith is strengthened.
So how is my aim? Where is my focus?
I want to go for the direct hit each time. Aim for the heart of the matter. It’s Jesus. Keep the spotlight on him and avoid the blur.
The tighter the focus, the broader the delight.
* * * * *
Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
And whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
4 comments:
I know this feeling of which you speak.
Like you said, I also know I can only be responsible for my own heart.
Perhaps you can try and bring some of what's positive from the one group into the other.
(I don't know your situation, of course, but sometimes what makes the difference for me is legalism, or just an overemphasis on our roles to and under-emphasis on the glorious God of grace. When it gets to be all about us, and what we do, well...we can sometimes lose sight of the Point.)
Laurie,
Very insightful words. I appreciate your thoughts and will take them to heart. Thank you.
I'd give anything for that less-encouraging "group" of which you speak.... sometimes it takes losing something to understand what it actually was bringing to your life that you couldn't see at the time.
Yes, Brenda. I don't want to complain about it; I just need to see what's going on in my heart as a result, and ask God to make the changes in me that *I* need to make.
The less-encouraging group definitely brings its own brand of blessings. Just being around godly people is a blessing in itself, regardless of whether or not we're accomplishing the agenda du jour. However, it's nice to also meet a goal occasionally. :-)
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