It would be safe to say that I have spent a good portion of my life worrying about things, and being consumed with problems and situations going on. I am guilty of being a worry wart, and someone who well....for lack of better words, has pity parties and dwells on the negative instead of the positive. Have you ever related to that?
During the lecture phase of Discipleship Training School, one of my leaders, Selena Hotere from New Zealand, would share often about how we should not be dictated by our circumstances. Even though circumstances may be constantly changing (sometimes within our own control, and sometimes beyond our control), the fact of the matter remains that God's character never changes. God is who he says he is, and his promises are true.
In retrospect, there are a lot of times when I have let circumstances overtake my perspective on who God is. I began to look back on all of the times where I simply didn't BELIEVE God to be who he says he is, and what the Bible tells of God's character.
Through this, I realized that my negativity went beyond just being in a bad mood, having a bad attitude, or being down on myself. I realized that I was shortchanging God for who HE is!
How many times do we go through life worrying, doubting, not trusting God? How many times have I been so caught in the problems of life, that I was missing out on a much bigger picture?
During one week of lectures, we camped in the Aussie bush, in a place called Hidden Valley. (And no, sadly, there was no Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing).
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| Big awning was for lectures and meals, campfire (front), toilets and showers (right), and our tents were further to the right than you can see in this picture. Our speaker that week was Mark Parker, also from New Zealand, and he led us on the topic of Lordship. To sum up just one portion of that week, I began to realize how deeply I had rooted myself in focusing on problems, instead of God. He stood right next to me, and challenged me to look up as high as I could. He is an energetic man, and proclaimed, "Look up!" He proceeded to remind me that God sees me and knows me and is with me! I don't have to focus on my problems. I need only to focus on him... |
Here is a little clip that reminds me of how I should live my life and perspective that I want to find and continue to have. (Click on this link... Never focus on the problem. Look at me! )
You see, when I began to focus on God, the point of view shifted from being self-focused, and more focused on a grander scheme of things...Ways that I can serve and love others around me. I began to see God for who he is, regardless of circumstance. It was another step into freedom that I never really knew until that day. I was no longer consumed with pity or self-sorrow, but I saw God in a new light, and I became excited about ways that I can bless and serve others. Not out of duty, but out of the joy and delight that I found in living for and believing in a God who IS who he says he is!
Which brings me to the words of a hymn that I think explain it pretty clearly...
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace."
Those words continue to linger and bounce around in my mind..."LOOK UP! LOOK UP!! LOOK UP!!!!"
"Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you." (Proverbs 4:25) And also, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12: 1-3)
I don't know where you stand in your belief or thoughts on God, but I know without a doubt, that there is a man who died a miserable death on the cross for me. I know that God is the one that I will always look to for hope, and that I have never felt more alive than when I look past my problems, and deeper into the face of a God who created my very life.
He is who he says he is. And he continues to beckon me..."Look up! Look up! Never focus on the problem! Look at me!"
"And the things of earth shall grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace..."
Where is your gaze fixed today?
A song of encouragement: Turn Your Eyes
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