Regaining Focus

4-11-12

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18

The Daniel Fast has come to a close.  We broke out fast on Sunday and I actually felt a little sad!  I was really enjoying the fast.  Not only was I enjoying the food, because of how it made me feel better, but I loved how I felt like my life wasn’t so distracted, but perhaps I bit more balanced.  Michael and I also agreed that for us, during the fast, we just felt loved and valued by God. 

I remember talking to a friend on Sunday and telling them that I wished it wasn’t over.  They said, "it doesn’t have to be!"  You know what, they are right.  I got to thinking about it and I really want to incorporate some of the different things I learned from the fast.  I wrote on an earlier blog post about how I found myself using food.  Well, I am now trying to be more aware of that, I have found that it has really helped calm my anxieties at times by not trying to find satisfaction in food.  This lesson, I want to hold onto and take with me.  I also learned that getting away from distractions is so beneficial to our life in Christ.  I was praying about the fast I was doing from TV, and have felt the Lord calling me to extend this fast.  So I am and I’ll break it when the Lord says it’s time.  He's got more work to do in me.   

I cannot even begin to express to you how beneficial fasting truly is.  We all need times where we can get away, and regain focus.  Life is busy and it’s just plain messy at times.  The longer we go without taking times for rest, the more our hearts are in need of renewal.  I praise God, because in ways I have felt renewed. I have also seen God begin to answer some prayers we prayed during this fast.  Fasting is a good thing, no a great thing, because when God calls us to fast He always meets us and empties us so that we may be filled with more of His Love.   

So my encouragement to you today is to seek the Lord in prayer and fasting.  Ask Him how He might lead you in fasting.  Perhaps it’s a food fast or maybe it’s a TV, Facebook, coffee, internet, shopping, video game fast.  God knows what you need and He also knows what you need to take a break from so you can better focus on Him, your family, and the mission He has for you in this life. 

This is my prayer for us all: Gracious Father, fix our eyes on You, not on temporal, earthly things that do not matter, but on You and the mission You have for us.  Empty our hearts of the vain, temporal, insignificant things and fill us to the fullness of Christ.  Remove from us our divided hearts of stone and grant us undivided hearts of flesh, that we may be fully devoted to you in singleness of heart and action.  Yes Lord, we are Yours, grant us Your vision.  Amen. 

Rollarcoaster...of Life

4-1-12

“Be still, and know that I am God…” Ps. 46:10a

Wow, it’s hard to believe we have entered into week three of our Daniel Fast.  Only five more days to go!  As I march on, I’m still struck with the theme of choosing life and what it means for me on a daily basis. 

Michael and I had kind of a challenging week in different ways.  Some things have come across our path that could cause us to worry.  I say could, because we have a choice to make.  Will we believe in the Word, or live out of our emotions and circumstances?  By the grace and mercy of God, we are choosing to live a new way.  Choosing to trust God.  Choosing to believe in His goodness for us, regardless of the outcome of our present circumstances. 

Life is really a rollercoaster at times, isn’t it?  We have our ups and our downs.  I am so thankful I have Jesus Christ in my life.  I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds it.  As I have been able to slowly put aside some of the distractions in my life, it is amazing to me how much better I have felt.  I know I have shared on my blog about feeling out of balance.  Though my body still physically feels out of balance at times, and I still have moments where my emotions get the best of me, my spirit feels much freer.  It’s an inner peace that we are going to be okay and that God will and is with us through it all. 

 

I have learned it’s a peace that comes from walking with Jesus and cleaving to His Word.  I long for the Word of God to truly overtake every part of me and change the way I think, feel, and act.  I think, by the grace of God, it is and I look forward with great expectation for the continual changes God will make in me as I meditate on and get more and more of His Word in my heart.  I know we’ve got a ways to go, but I thank God for how far we’ve come and for His patient love in my life.  It’s truly, ALL because of Him.  The more I get to know Him and His Word, the more I learn how gracious and patient He is with me, even when I mess up. 

 I told a friend once that our knowledge of God must move from our heads, into our hearts, where it can then grow deep roots of faith and belief which push us to action and obedience.  I think this is the journey I have been on and will continue to be on for the rest of my life.  His Word is becoming more and more real in my life.  I wonder if it is in yours?  It can, but friends it takes work.  It takes diligence. Most importantly though it means surrendering to Father who loves you so dearly and allowing Him to do this work in you.  Before Jesus went to the cross He promised to send us His Holy Spirit who would be our Helper.  The Holy Spirit is given to all believers in Jesus Christ to help them choose life, and live as an overcomer.  Ask God to empty you and fill you with more of His Holy Spirit.  Surrender all to Him and watch the amazing work He will do in your life.  Put aside distractions and start digging into the Word like never before.  You will not regret it.