by: Jennifer Petticoffer
Hebrews 12:2-3 – Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
What do you want from your life? When all is said and done and you’re nearing the end of your days here on Earth, what will be your dearest accomplishments? Some people have started “bucket lists” – things they want to do, places that want to visit, etc. before they “kick the bucket”. If things, experiences and places are what you want, then this is a way to complete your desires; however, if you want something to take with you into eternity or to leave here to influence eternity, you will have a different “list” beside your deathbed. Staying in God’s Word while knowing what direction you are traveling will keep and make your path clear. Think about that.
Most of us are goal-oriented, maybe not detailed list makers, but we have some idea of what we want and need to accomplish. We, as Christian ladies today, have many resources for planning the days and weeks of our lives. We have wardrobe and meal planners, calendars on our phones that beep to remind us about every event and a worldwide web at our fingertips with the answer to every problem we may ever encounter. Yet, with all of the micro-management of our lives, have we lost sight of the big picture?
Begin at the beginning and end at the ending.
To know how to map the course of our lives we must begin at the beginning and know our final destination. Jesus Christ is the author (the beginning) and the finisher (the ending) of our faith. He should be our goal. After our salvation by faith we must live by this faith. Living like Jesus, doing like Jesus, and being like Jesus are steps to how we will end our days with Jesus. (Yes, I meant to say, “Jesus” that many times.)
The words “…Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:21), should be words each Christian should mark as a goal for his lifetime.
I wrote these words in my prayer journal and read them each day – “Make sure what you do with your time is of value to God and eternity.”
Keep your eyes on the Prize.
Although our motivation should be more than a prize, God wants to reward us as His children. We should want to please our Father and this should help us to focus on matters. The Bible mentions several crowns and prizes.
Crown of Righteousness – II Timothy 4:7-8
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Crown of Life – James 1:2, Revelation 2:10
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Overcome Distractions
We cannot focus when we are distracted. Our society today has an ever-decreasing attention span. Distractions at every turn have limited our ability to focus on what is before us. If we would SIMPLIFY what and who gets our attention we would greatly improve the QUALITY of our time and our lives.
How much of your life do you want to be tethered to the internet, to your cell phone, to your television or to your social media? 10%? (2.4 hours per day), 20%? (4.8 hours per day), 40%? (9.6 hours per day) Get the picture? If you don’t decide how and when to limit distractions, your life will be given away a little at a time, hours turning to weeks and weeks to years, turning your attention from Jesus Christ.
Decide to focus on your spiritual walk. Before you check your email, texts or social media, read your Bible and pray. Before you speak to anyone else, speak to the Lord. Use your brain and help your spirit by memorizing Scripture. When was the last time you took time to fast and pray for a need or someone else’s need? Our spiritual walk should encompass each part our lives. Start the day with a focus and a plan.
Decide to focus on your spouse and/or immediate family. Before you play another game of Candy Crush on your phone or pin another “Pin,” talk to your husband and children. Find out what they’re thinking. Get involved in what’s important to them. Write a letter to your mother, have a cup of coffee with your father or start working on that quilt for your grandchild. Pray for each member of your family and be specific about their needs. Stop worrying while you play, pray; instead, keep your focus on Christ.
Decide to be a local church Christian. Yes, we are saved members of Bible-believing, Baptist, local churches. We care about the entire world. We want all to know about Jesus Christ and the Gospel. We want to have a global vision, but God’s plan for this is local-church based. Be a faithful member of your church, listen to your pastor’s sermons, go soul winning in your neighborhood, serve in your church choir and give tithes to your church. Do not be distracted by other church websites, lifestyles and directions. Focus your energy and time in serving the Lord where you are.
Jennifer Petticoffer
Longview Baptist Temple
Longview, TX