If You Don't Want Your Life to be Wasted, Focus It!

It was the Spring of 1998 when I read my first Elizabeth George book, Woman After God’s Own Heart, and I can honestly tell you, it was one of the first Christian books that got me excited about living for God. This may sound silly, but at the time I didn’t think God care about me planning my day, setting goals, and establishing priorities. I knew God loved me, and called me to love my neighbor as myself. I also knew that God had given me gifts and talents that were to be used to glorify Him, but I was shock when I realized that God truly cared about the intimate details of my day, and wants to be apart of the decision making process. In addition, Elizabeth’s book sparked a passion in me for order and balance God’s way. Some people are attracted to music, and are drawn to musical activities, events, and circles. Some people are very athletic and eager to participate in any type of sporting event they have time for. I am attracted to order, self-help books, organizational tips, and lectures on one’s life purpose--sounds boring I know but it has its advantages. Your constantly thinking ahead...How can I make my life more meaningful? How can I make a difference? What is my purpose in life? In addition, the pursuit of balance and order keeps me focused (and mindful of those goals I want to accomplish in life); and with focus I am less likely to be jumping from one extreme to the other.

In her book titled: Loving God with All Your Mind, Elizabeth George gives a wonderful description of what characterizes a focused woman, and what sets her apart from other women. Here is what she says:

...First, a focused woman knows where she is going. She has a sense of God’s call on her life, and that call gives her direction each step of the way and makes it easier for her to make decisions. With her sights set on these God-given goals, she is able to say no to the trivial. She chooses from among her options that which moves her toward her life goals.

This focus for her life also gives her greater energy for reaching that goal. She doesn’t waste energy wondering what to do or wandering aimlessly from option to option. Knowing exactly what she wants to do and needs to do, she pours her energy into those things. Her knowing what to do and her knowing that God will enable her to serve Him where He has placed her gives her confidence as well as energy. She knows where she is headed and why, and she makes all that she does count for her Lord.

Your Call to Order
My challenge to you is to think about some of the things you do daily, are you making most of what you do count for the Lord?

Power Verses (from the New King James Version)

The steps of a good man [or woman] are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his [or her] way (Psalm 37:23, emphasis added).

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:6).

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Leaving a Legacy

The day was June 10, 2006, and I am ashamed to say that it had been 10 years since I was last home (the home of my roots). Having grown up as a military brat it was difficult calling any place home when you are being shuffled from one location to another. My father had successfully and faithfully served 28 years in the Military, and here we were surrounded by a host of relatives and friends at my Grandfathers funeral. To my surprise, the church was packed with people, all there to honor a man who had lived ninety years and died unexpectedly. I had taken it for granted that he would be around at least another year or two to see his newest great-grandkids, but God had called him home. 

What I thought would be a sad occasion turned out to be an awesome celebration of life. Over and over again I heard people talk about what a wonderful man my grandfather was. He was saved at a very young age, and seemed to have been blessed with the foresight and wisdom beyond his years. Most of his life was spent serving in the church until is health failed him, and he was unable to get around on his own. He never worked for anyone, at a young age a neighbor taught him carpentry, and his grandfather taught him how to farm. He used both those skills to provide for a family of eight: himself, my grandmother, five boys and one girl, and much much later a grandson -- whom he adopted as his own (just as his grandfather had adopted him). 

 When there was pressure from friends and family to move to the city, or to get a real job (working for someone else) he was unmoved. Times were scarce, but his family never went hungry nor were they without the basic necessities of life. As his sons stood up one by one and spoke of their father, I saw upon each one of them the light. The light of understanding that everything that their father did, was for their own good. All his children were saved – including the one that preceded him in death. They all understood the importance of lovingly supporting, honoring, and providing for their families. That was my grandfather’s legacy. After meditating on the legacy my grandfather left, I had to ask myself: “Sandra, what will be your legacy? What will come forth from your womb, from your mouth, from your efforts, from your time here on earth—in which God has blessed you with?” Maybe the spirit is prompting you to ask yourself the same questions? 

  

Your Call to Order 

My challenge to you for the next couple weeks and beyond is to, first of all, decided how you want to be remembered by family, friends, coworkers, etc. and what you may want to leave them when you pass. Then make sure you are using your talents and gifts to bring glory and honor to God; and that you are striving to do what is just in the eyes of God (Micah 6:8).

  

Power Verses (from the New King James Version

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”(Matthew 28:19-20).

“Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31).

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