Focus On The Good

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 NASB2020

Have you been noticing strange and unusual things happening lately? Just yesterday, the fire alarm in my building went off for the first time in the 4 years that I’ve been living here.

At first, I didn’t know what it was. I went outside, and all the other residents were alarmed and confused as well. There was no fire. I notified the office and a worker came and debugged the issue. False alarm.

Some folks were rudely awakened from their sleep, others seemed almost panicked. I just took my dog and put him in my car until the noise ceased. Instead of doing what I had planned, I decided to take him for a drive while I cleared my head.

I ended up on my church’s property and let him sniff around while I soaked in the sunshine and took some time to seek the Lord in prayer. We were getting ready to leave when people came streaming out of the church right to where we were. What was happening? This was unexpected, again. A going away lunch for a staff member. Definitely not a common occurrence, but I got the chance to talk to a friend I’d been meaning to catch up with.

Later, that night, after a meeting at church, I’m driving home in the dark and something runs out into the road and I hit it with my car. I suspect it was a cat, but I don’t know. It all happened in an instant, totally unexpected, and I was travelling so fast I couldn’t stop to see. Quite unsettling.

This world seems to be spinning around like a wobbly top and it’s anyone’s guess when it suddenly stops. We know the end is coming, we just don’t know when. In light of that, what should we do?

Everyday, it seems like things that never happen are happening. What’s up with that? I don’t know, but I’m learning to just expect the unexpected and roll with the punches. Maybe it’s just a reminder that God laughs when I make plans. Maybe this is God’s way of delivering me from the need to feel like I’m in control.

Some people are still asleep. Some are suddenly coming to their senses. Others are in a fearful panic. Some continue on with business as usual even though all the warning signs cannot be ignored. It’s happening before our very eyes. The signs of the end times. Best to get your house in order, and keep it that way.

There is no need to panic. There is no reason to fear if you are in Christ Jesus. For those who believe, death is a homecoming, not a death sentence. For those who do not follow the Lord, time is short. If we have any compassion, we should warn them to repent and turn to Jesus for the salvation of their souls. That’s kindness. Sometimes we need to be interrupted if we’re going the wrong way. That’s how I see it, at least.

With all the craziness in this world, focus on what is true. It will keep you sane and help you know what to do. Old things fall away to make room for the new. God is still in control even when we don’t know what to do.

Is Jesus enough? Does knowing Him satisfy your soul? Do you have peace and rest? Or are you looking for something else?

Am I looking for something else? Am I chasing the next achievement? The next dopamine hit? Am I a slave to the world and its ways or am I an overcomer?

I need to rest. I need to hear from God. He alone has the plan. He alone is Lord. I need to make sure I’m on the same page as Him, each and everyday, or I will go woefully astray. Let us pray.

Father in Heaven, give us wisdom to number our days. Let us not be foolish but be wise. Help us to get our priorities in order, according to Your will for our lives. Give us great success in hearing from You and obeying Your instructions. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Amen