Over at Kate Motaung's house, we write every Friday on a prompt for five minutes. Most of us that attend Thursday night's Twitter party receive the prompt "the night before" and decide to post at that point, or on the following day.
This week's prompt is "Focus".
As I type this, it's way past bedtime and it's almost Sunday. A little later than a Friday post should be composed. But this past week, God has been taking His time to teach me this lesson of focus.
In my teens and twenties, I still was learning who Tammy was. Once married, I still didn't really know. Even becoming a mother almost three years later, I was still searching for that stability of knowing who you are.
And now that I'm in 2016, headed for my 35th mile marker of life, I'm learning that who I am revolves around my Focus.
What is my priority and where do I place my worth and value? If it's in the hands of anyone besides my all-forgiving, all-understanding Jesus? It's rubbish. I can allow compliments to go to my head and esteem me higher than I deserve. I can allow complaints and criticisms to go to my core and devastate the very essentials of my being.
Or, I can stand on Psalm 139. "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
Ephesians says we're God's masterpiece.
No matter what the messages of insecurity say, those that attack me from the magazine covers and the marketing so that I'll spend my time and energy and money on perfecting my outside, they are drawing my Focus away from my very purpose.
"16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
I encourage you to read that entire chapter. There is so much hope and life and strength in God's words to us. Last week's prompt reminded us to be quiet. It's so we can focus on what God has for us today. All we have is today. Let's ask Him for the plans and focus on those, so the other things can grow strangely dim in the light of His Glory and Grace. :)
~Tammy
Always striving to be transparent and sincere as I learn what the Love of God truly means. "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15)
Glad you made it even if it is nearly Sunday! The Bible verses you quoted are some of my favourites and I like how you quoted "Turn your eyes upon Jesus" at the end- I included that song in my post.
ReplyDeleteIt's so important to focus on God and find our value and identity in him- I think I'm slowly learning to do that. I'm at #65 this week.
Carly,
DeleteSo honored to be getting your comments today! I couldn't keep up last week with comments and replies and felt terrible about it.
I'm loving that song more every year! Can't wait to see how you used it!
Love,
Tammy
Hi Tammy! Just stopping by from FMF. Yes, I just posted now on Sunday afternoon. So glad Kate keeps the linky party going for a few days. :) I love your take on the word FOCUS. Such a great reminder that our worth and value comes from Who's we are. His love for us is so great and I'm thankful for it every day. Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
Deletethanks for stopping by! :) You are an encouragement.
Love,
Tammy
great post, Tammy, and as usual, you cut straight to the heart of the matter.
ReplyDeleteIn Him we live, and move, and have our being. All else is, as you say...rubbish!
And this was a very appropriate post for a Sunday!
ReplyDeleteAndrew,
Deleteyou really know how to cheer a piglet up. :)
Thanks for taking time to post twice.
Glad you could read it and enjoy it and be ministered to.
I had spent the past 10 hours with a stomach-sick husband. So, tell Barbara I'm not comparing, but she can know my prayers for her are especially empathetic right now.
~Tammy
I love how our identity as God's materpieces never change. We must never forget the part about our purpose, following that same verse in Ephesians. We're created for good works to bring glory to our Creator. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by! :)
DeleteI don't know if you came from FMF, but I don't have comment love as an "app", so I have no way to find you.
If you share your linkup number, I'll be sure to come visit!
Love,
Tammy
This is wonderful, Tammy. We truly are rubbish without our God's grace and love. Have a blessed week.
ReplyDeleteLynette
Thank you Lynette!
DeleteYou are a real blessing!
Love,
Tammy