Perspective

Is it ok to admit that the last few days have been a struggle?? Nothing tragic or life-threatening. . . We were busy (as always!) but added to the normal day to day chaos of life was a small conflict that needed resolution. It is amazing how one small issue can impact my day, my attitude, and my ability to focus on God. I can get so overwhelmed with analyzing things that it is nearly impossible for me to sit and meditate on the word.

I am so glad that every morning is new. That the worries and stresses of yesterday don't have to impact today. It is so easy to get wrapped up in life's difficulties - but if we can manage to pull back and focus on the big picture, we'll see that there is so much more to life than those things. . . When I get discouraged or distracted I turn to the words of others for encouragement. Today I turned to Francis Chan, and I'd like to share some of his words with you. They inspire and encourage me to move beyond life's distractions and focus my eyes on the goal - Jesus!!

From Crazy Love, pg. 46-47:

Are You Ready?
As a pastor, I'm often called upon when life "vanishes like a mist." One of the most powerful examples I've seen of this was Stan Gerlach, a successful business man who was well known in the community. Stan was giving a eulogy at a memorial service when he decided to share the gospel. At the end of his message, Stan told the mourners, "You never know when God is going to take your life. At that moment, there's nothing you can do about it. Are you ready?" Then Stan sat down, fell over, and died. His wife and sons tried to resuscitate him, but there was nothing they could do - just as Stan had said a few minutes earlier.
I'll never forget receiving that phone call and heading over to the Gerlach house. Stan's wife, Suzy, was just arriving home. She hugged me and cried. One of her sons, John, stepped out of the car weeping. He asked me, "Did you hear the story? Did you hear? I'm so proud of him. My died doing what he loved most. He was telling people about Jesus."
I was asked to share a word with everyone gathered. There were children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends. I opened my Bible to Matthew 10:32-33: "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."
I asked everyone to imagine what it must have felt like for Stan. One moment, he was at a memorial service saying to a crowd, "This is who Jesus is!" The next, he was before God hearing Jesus say, "This is who Stan Gerlach is!" One second he was confessing Jesus; a second later, Jesus was confessing him!
It happens that quickly. And it could happen to any of us. In the words of Stan Gerlach, "Are you ready?"


Well, if that isn't enough of a kick in the pants to refocus my heart on what is truly important then I don't know what is. Hope it does the same for you today my friend!