I bought my friend a pair of knickers once... just because... and on the back was written "I would have excellent concentration if everything wasn't so shiny". It's funny and most of us women can relate to it because we like a bit of bling and sparkle! We can be 'on a mission' to do something but if we see a SALE or something nice in the window...we're there!!
It came to mind the other day as I was thinking about how my relationship with God seems to fluctuate in intensity and there are times I feel closer to Him than others. I seem to lose my focus on Him and become distracted by all the 'shiny things' so easily. I think being back in Australia makes it just a little harder than when we are in PNG too. There aren't a whole lot of distractions up there! Actually we see how little the people have materially and yet how much they have relationally, and we can learn a lot from them. Initially the return to our culture is overwhelming. There is so much wealth, choice and things to occupy our time and thinking, and it is hard to resist the pull to pursue the things that the world deems important; the shiny distractions. But God's word has got this covered too.
2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
So in all our 'dream chasing', may we be seeking out His dream for our lives. Yes we should enjoy life's simple pleasures and 'shiny things' but they don't become our goals. True fulfillment and joy comes as we keep the 'Heavenly things' at the centre of our lives and pursue them with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.
This is my 'note to self'!!
God bless you today with all kinds of shiny Heavenly things!!
It came to mind the other day as I was thinking about how my relationship with God seems to fluctuate in intensity and there are times I feel closer to Him than others. I seem to lose my focus on Him and become distracted by all the 'shiny things' so easily. I think being back in Australia makes it just a little harder than when we are in PNG too. There aren't a whole lot of distractions up there! Actually we see how little the people have materially and yet how much they have relationally, and we can learn a lot from them. Initially the return to our culture is overwhelming. There is so much wealth, choice and things to occupy our time and thinking, and it is hard to resist the pull to pursue the things that the world deems important; the shiny distractions. But God's word has got this covered too.
2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
So in all our 'dream chasing', may we be seeking out His dream for our lives. Yes we should enjoy life's simple pleasures and 'shiny things' but they don't become our goals. True fulfillment and joy comes as we keep the 'Heavenly things' at the centre of our lives and pursue them with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.
This is my 'note to self'!!
God bless you today with all kinds of shiny Heavenly things!!
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