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A Reminder Of Where We Need To Be
by Dennis Miranda Because we live in two different parts of the United States talking with my older brother over the phone is always a great time for catching up. But today I could sense by his words that he was carrying around some pretty heavy burdens. If we allow them to the cares of this world can really choke the life right out of us sometimes. And when it's difficult to see the forest for the trees then it's even tougher to want to hear someone say that God still has a plan and a purpose for your life. Unlike our female counterparts men by nature are not always so willing to share what is troubling them. My brother sounded tired, a bit disoriented, and even defeated. He wasn't the same lighthearted big bro that I've known all my life. No, something was wrong, but I didn't want to pry, at least not for the moment. I treaded lightly and waited until some time after our phone call had ended to shoot him an email where I had the wonderful opportunity to encourage my big bro that God's promises still hold true no matter how overwhelming our circumstances might seem. I recalled what the Lord of all creation had spoken to the heart of the "weeping prophet" Jeremiah just before calling him out into service. Listen to what God said: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, Before you were born I set you apart;" Jeremiah 1:5 Although you and I may never have the job of becoming a "prophet to the nations" there is no doubt that God has nevertheless prepared for us in advance good works to do as well (Ephesians 2:10). But before we put in the hard work of pursuing these things we must first put in the time with Him alone and undistracted. With so many things fighting for our attention these days its no wonder we can become so easily diverted from what is truly important. Do you know what the most effective tool a lion tamer has in his arsenal? You would think it's the whip he cracks against the king of the jungle. When actually its the stool he brings into the ring with him. Now one might wonder how this could be? Well, the fact is that both animals and man alike have difficulty in concentrating effectively on one object at a time. Therefore introducing a four legged chair to a four legged animal who doesn't know the difference between a stool and screwdriver can leave you with one pretty confused animal. He doesn't know where to focus his attention and so becomes more preoccupied with the distraction itself than with the one who is behind it. At times we are like the lion in the circus and the enemy of our soul acts as the lion tamer placing a four legged stool before us in the form of addiction, selfish ambition, the pursuit of wealth, busyness, and even good things like family, work, or church activities. We believe these distractions to be important and so we give them as much of our attention as they demand. However, nothing is as important as our relationship to Christ. And the Devil knowing this will make every attempt to drive us further and further away from Him. The result can be one displaced child of God. I believe the Apostle Paul got it right when he wrote to the early church warning them to place no confidence in the flesh. Check out what this heavyweight of the Christian faith had to say about our priorities: "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:7-9). Upon receiving my email today my brother was thankful that I had reached out to him. It was my pleasure to do so, after all I know he would've done the same for me. And so, I want to encourage you also my dear brother and sister in Christ to be God's branch today and stay connected to the Vine. For apart from Christ we can do nothing in this life, but in and through Him we can accomplish far greater works than what our Lord has already begun (John 15:5; John 14:12)! Run to win, Den Contact me at: [email protected] Dennis Miranda is a stumbling soul saved by grace, married to his best friend, daddy of three, blogger, and retired Marine. Blog: www.runningtowin-pgh.com/write Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |