Distracted by His glory

Can I ask you a question today? What are you attracted to? What is it that gets your attention?

Life can really be distracting at times. In contrast, I have found over time that God wants to distract me from the things of this world. I know a lot of times we talk about being spiritually distracted by the enemy, or by some situation or circumstance. But I really believe that God wants to distract your life with His glory. He wants to shift your focus off of the reality of your problems and place them on His greatness. Don’t miss this point!I am not saying that we should not face our problems, but I am saying that when we focus on magnifying the Lord, God will distract us from becoming overwhelmed with the pressures of this life.

Go outside tonight or some night (when it's clear) and just begin to focus on how big God really is. All of a sudden the words that Isaiah penned in chapter 55:8-9 become more than just a scripture you may have heard.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Just that thought alone brings hope, trust, and strength. To be reminded that God’s ways are higher than ours -- that is only one thought that can distract us from focusing on the wrong thing. When we become distracted by God and His glory, our lives will sync up with His greatness. Let me say that again so you don’t miss it: When we become distracted by God and His glory our lives will sync up with His greatness.

My challenge for you, my friend,is simple: Instead of allowing the enemy to distract you with life, allow your life to be distracted with how amazing God is. I think you’ll find that God’s distractions are the best kind.

By the way, when we get distracted on the right things we will find that our perspective of our life and our problems will always be right.

Tips for The Race

What an awesome service we had yesterday as we focused on running “The Race” that God has called us to. Your race must be run with perseverance if we are going to finish. Perseverance, very simply put, is refusing to quit no matter how hard it gets. It is running with impudence towards God-goals and destiny for your life.

Many times when a runner is running their side will start hurting. I have been told (because I am not a skilled runner) that if you press through the pain that it will go away. But, if you focus on the pain, it will rob you of your rhythm and, ultimately, your potential to finish. This is not a huge revelation but pain hurts--that’s why we focus on it.

Let me give you some sound spiritual advice. When pain enters into your life don’t deny that it is there. It is ok to acknowledge your pain. The key for us as believers is to make sure that we don’t allow it to control us. That is when we let the enemy win. Pain is real and it hurts, but do not give the enemy the satisfaction of stealing your spiritual rhythm. Keep your focus on Jesus “the author and perfecter of your faith”. When you think about how much pain he had to endure for us and that he wants to help us in our time of need, it makes our pain easier to carry!