This is an issue i deal with more then anything else in my life right now. I can't seem to stay focus on what God is trying to tell me. I can focus on the stuff that dont matter like Auburn football, my fantasy football team, what is happening in my upcoming week, etc. You may be saying "well some of the stuff that is going to happen will be important". True your right...in the physical sense. Will it be important to my heavenly father? More then likely he wont care if I'm a good student or employee when I'm standing in front of him on judgement day. This is what i should be focused on more then anything but when i wake up i find it harder and harder every day just to say thank you God for just waking me up for another day in your beautiful world. Why is this? Maybe its because I'm to consumed with the world and just want to watch Sportscenter. I'm sure all christians struggle with this issue, but a lot of them just kind of brush it aside thinking "i haven't done anything bad like kill someone". In God's eyes it is just as bad specially since we aren't giving him the time except for a Sunday morning or a Wed. night.
I thought about this though as i was preparing a lesson for my small group and it's a lesson that just hit me in the face because i have slacked off. Psalms 1:1-6 says "How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers. Instead, his delight is in the Lord's instructions and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, Whatever he does prospers. The wicked are not like this: instead they are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will no survive the judgement and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous but the way of the wicked will be ruined." That verse pretty much says that the ones who stayed focused on the Lord will prosper while the ones who don't won't survive. There is no way around it we have to stay focused on what God wants us to do not what we want. I know first hand you can't do anything on your own. You will be able to for a little while but once you start thinking you can God will show you in a big way you can't.
God is so loving though that even when you hit a wall and fall on your face from trying to do everything on your own he will ALWAYS be their to pick you back up. Even when you don't deserve it. In Hebrews 13:5 God says "...never will i leave you never will i forsake you". It's so awesome that i have a God that promises me that but it also hurts me knowing i cant stay focused on someone who loves me so much. My prayer for everyone is that you never loose your focus on your purpose and how you can work for God. If you don't know how just pray that he shows you and believe me once you focus on what his plan is for you so many doors will open up for you.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Audience of One
As the start of football season and college sports year has started one thing has entered my mind. Now keep in mind i don't play any college sports but i have played sports all my life. My girlfriend does play volleyball for her college team and she is very serious about it so i can see an athlete's side of the spectrum of college sports.
A couple months ago i went to an FCA conference in Missouri and it was awesome to see just how many college athletes love Jesus Christ. It was also amazing to see how unselfish they are. I also know a lot of athletes are not this way. A lot of athletes are only concerned about their life in sports and this is not what God has called us to be. Colossians 3:23 says "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, and not for men". I know it dont say sports specifically but it says "whatever you do". In black and white its saying anything you do. I think a lot of the times in sports a person will only think about the competitive edge and forget about the bigger picture and as athletes you have to watch out for this problem because I know its hard to keep the big picture in mind. Not much bothers me more then hearing about an athlete more worried about there own stats rather then how they witnessed. My message to them is God has given you a talent to worship him through and use for his glory. Don't get caught up in your own worries and expectations about your game because after your 4 years is up chances are your probably not going to play professionally anywhere. There is more to life then sports and thats what you should focus on.
A couple months ago i went to an FCA conference in Missouri and it was awesome to see just how many college athletes love Jesus Christ. It was also amazing to see how unselfish they are. I also know a lot of athletes are not this way. A lot of athletes are only concerned about their life in sports and this is not what God has called us to be. Colossians 3:23 says "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, and not for men". I know it dont say sports specifically but it says "whatever you do". In black and white its saying anything you do. I think a lot of the times in sports a person will only think about the competitive edge and forget about the bigger picture and as athletes you have to watch out for this problem because I know its hard to keep the big picture in mind. Not much bothers me more then hearing about an athlete more worried about there own stats rather then how they witnessed. My message to them is God has given you a talent to worship him through and use for his glory. Don't get caught up in your own worries and expectations about your game because after your 4 years is up chances are your probably not going to play professionally anywhere. There is more to life then sports and thats what you should focus on.
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