This blog post originally appeared in the Fall issue of the Friends Community Church Women’s Newsletter. Click here to check out the newsletter and other info about Women’s Ministry at FCC.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
I love a good story. Mysteries are my go-to genre. My favorite author is Agatha Christie, the queen of mystery and a master of the ‘red herring.’ A red herring is ‘something, especially a clue, that is or is intended to be misleading or distracting.’
In these days of pandemic, isolation, racial injustice and tension, political strife, fires, hurricanes and more, it feels as if life is full of red herrings that distract, mislead and confuse me. Without minimizing the importance of these issues, they leave me confused and distracted. How do I respond to all that is happening in my world today and honor the Lord, to be Christ-like in my response?
How do I keep my eyes on Jesus when it so easy to get caught up in the arguments and discord? The Lord has been showing me anew how to keep my focus on Jesus. Time daily with Jesus is first and foremost, something I’ve done my best to practice for years. Time spent in the Word and prayer every day, when possible first thing in the morning, is of immense value. It should be obvious that to get to know someone we have to spend time with that person. Spend time with Jesus.
Lately the Lord has been showing me a new way to stay focused on Jesus – gratitude. I recently heard a sermon that used the term ‘obsessive gratitude.’ When I thank Jesus for the things in my life, for everything in my life, it turns my focus back to him and away from the ‘red herrings’ that distract and confuse me. Just outside our backyard are five beautiful stately pine trees. They provide shade, beautifully frame our view to the mountains, provide a home for the birds and squirrels, and remind me daily of creation. They also create a huge mess on our patio, littering it with needles and pinecones. The squirrels sit in the trees and eat the pinecones dropping more mess on our patio. I have a choice where to place my focus: on the beauty or on the mess. When my focus is on gratefulness for those trees the mess seems inconsequential. When my focus is on the mess, I lose the enjoyment of the trees.
This is true with life. Where I place my focus determines my mindset for the day. Gratitude for all God has given me, for all He does, for every little thing, takes my focus from the messes of life and turns my mind back to him. To help my focus I keep a gratefulness log in my daily journal.
Try writing down at least one thing every day for which to be grateful. It can be anything and everything: God’s grace, family, grilled cheese sandwiches, a sunset, laughter, iced tea on a hot day… don’t get fancy, just make a list and thank God. There are always things in our lives for which to be grateful. Keep focused on Jesus by thanking him.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
-Judi Hammer
Elder Board Member at Friends Community Church