I prefer to work from lists, usually hand-written, though sometimes typed into a file on my desktop computer or even, on some occasions, on my iPhone. Lists help me orchestrate some degree of planning as to how I hope to invest the fresh load of hours that arrived with the morning dew. No plan and no list mean I oscillate like that silver ball stuck between the bumpers in the old-style arcade games. Lots of lights flash and bells ring, but little progress is achieved.
I know my methodology sometimes infuriates Shawn who often prefers a leisurely jaunt to the bottom of a cup of tea while she contemplates what she might accomplish that day. Meanwhile I am off to the races, being productive, and most importantly, crossing items off the list. The hazard with my style is that I plummet into discouragement when interruptions occur or items are added to the list faster than I can address them.
Ugh! Nothing screams “wasted day” louder than a list which has more items at the end of the day than it did at the start. And the real danger is that a day under those conditions means I likely did not stop to talk with God, to thank Him for the sunshine or the breeze or the clouds floating over me. My heart in that moment matches that of the one described by Jesus, a heart which heard the Word of God but did not bear fruit because of the oppression of worries.
“The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
Luke 8:14 NASB
Of late I have been working to develop a habit of thanking God for the tools in my shop and the skills to use them while I tackle projects. My planned agenda might have been trashed due to an unexpected repair, but at least I can have an uplifting moment with my Father as I work. And often, as I tote another load of debris to the dump, I voice aloud, “I am so thankful God provided this truck!” Shawn chuckles when I pair the sentiment with a nice pat on Clifford’s dash. What? You don’t name your vehicle?
Habits likes these help to refocus my vision from the horizontal to the vertical. Why is that line of sight important? According to Scripture, and that’s the source of authority for my life, as a believer in Jesus Christ I have been chosen.
“…you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world…”
John 15:19 NASB Selected
Lest I miss the message God repeated it through the writings of Paul who pointed out that I am now a citizen of heaven. The overall direction of my life expressed as thoughts, words and actions should identify me as one has been raised up with Christ. My focus should shift to things above, not just the things of earth.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
Philippians 3:20 NASB
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:1-2 NASB
Does that heavenly mindset lead me to earthly idleness, to a sense that nothing in this life really matter so why worry about any of it? Of course not, and in other Scriptures (2 Thessalonians 3:6-14) Paul dealt with that very issue. Believers were slacking off, donning their white robes and waiting for the ride to heaven. Paul admonished them to get busy.
My heaven-ward focus should provide motivation. Time is short. Work remains to be completed. Not everyone in my sphere of influence is ready for the trip. I’ve got to stay with the program.
The pull of this world is strong and without diligent discernment I can be sucked into its pattern. John left this message for all of us:
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
1 John 2:15-16 NASB
I came across this resonating quote from a man’s prayer: “Lord, by your grace prevent me from losing myself so much in the joys of earth that I have no longing left for the purer joys of heaven.”[1]
David wrote in the Psalms the he had “set the Lord before him” so that he might remain on track. My truck has a cool feature though I was unaware of its value until Michelle and Robert explained it to me. Once I tried it, I was hooked. I can connect my phone to the truck and a map pops up on a screen embedded in the dash. A voice gives me advance warning of turns I need to make in reaching my destination. The feature provides much additional data and frees me to drive without juggling a paper map or facing the distraction of written directions. That’s the idea behind David’s words.
I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
1 John 2:15-16 NASB
John Henry Jowett, a preacher from long ago, discussed the upward focus in one of his sermons and shared the stark truth that I cannot develop that heavenly mindset on my own. I need the power of Christ to be active in my life. I must pay attention as He draws me upward. Then good things begin to happen…
Drawn by Him we shall rise into “newness of life,” “The things that are above” will become more and more entrancingly familiar to us, and we shall find it an increasing joy to gaze upon them with rapt and unwavering vision. With the “renewing of the mind” we shall be”transformed”: high-born feelings will come to be our guests, and the pervading influence of these fragrant sentiments will sweeten all the common ways in which we live and move and have our being.[2]
My choice is simple to make but perhaps difficult to implement. I can allow myself to be consumed with the details of this world, or I can strive to develop an upward focused life.
[1] Baillie, John and Wright, Susan. A Diary of Prayer. New York: Scribner. 1977. p 85.
[2] Kennedy, Gerald. The Best of John Henry Jowett. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1948. p 103.
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