Rest and Focus

 

I am still looking into rest because that’s probably my biggest weakness at the moment. 

 

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. We are eagerly waiting for him to return as our savior.” Philippians 3:20

 

To do or to rest? Work for God’s kingdom on Earth or anxiously wait for His return? There are so many tensions in the Bible, and I don’t feel like I healthily straddle them. We had visitors last week that totally threw off our schedules - Carla and I were getting only a couple hours of sleep a night and we started this week seriously dragging. I am grumpy and snapping at people. Carla isn’t able to comprehend when I’m talking to her about complex plans.

 

Today is Tuesday, the day I avoid the office, sit home, write e-mails and program. It’s the only day I get to do things undisturbed (mostly). While 90% of the programming and development is with others, I am still the best on the team and every once in a while, they need help on some seriously complex situation. Added to that are my executive duties, which I am learning more about daily. I need to lead, guide, and direct, meaning lots of time in prayer and worship, and focused on the future. To truly do this I need more time, and more time where I am rested. Visioneering is so difficult when I am tired but flows so easily when I’m rested…

 

So where’s the balance? I need to think of heaven and set my sights on Christ (Phil 3:20) but also “press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God is calling us” (Phil 3:14). Imagine how different my day would be if I knew God was in control? If I started my day with my priorities aligned with his?

 

Be Strong and Courageous

 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9

I love these verses. The whole chapter has so many exhortations on being strong and courageous. God says it like 4-5 times. Was it because Joshua needed to hear it? Was it because Joshua was coming up on trying times? I find it interesting that these were the words God chose to give to Joshua… Not strategy advice, not planning, not leadership tips or information on who was spinning in Joshua’s camp… He was primarily concerned about Joshua’s heart.

I find the same thing in Philippians 4:6-7; pray, then God will give you peace. It says nothing about your prayers being answered. It just talked about the peace of God that transcends understanding.

How am I approaching God in the moment? In what areas am I focused on the specific situation and he is more interested in the heart?

God, give me your eyes; eyes that see the armies of heaven as more really than the difficulties I see in the physical. Give me the ability to discern the real from the fake, the urgent, as the non-eternal.

God, help me to walk in a way that shows that my heart and soul are more important than my daily struggles and situations. Lord keep me above the noise; help me to walk in strength and courageousness. Help me to show your power and strength. Let my life be a testimony to your power and ability to rescue your sons and daughters.