This Christian Life

God

Have you ever bought a new car and suddenly started noticing the other cars out there just like yours? Or have you learned a new word and now you feel like everyone’s using it?

Sometimes the Holy Spirit places circumstances or people in our lives that cause us to notice something to which we’ve paid little attention before. It’s kind of like the awareness that occurs when you buy a new car or learn a new word. For a few day’s or week’s time, you study that new-found object. In fact, you don’t have to try hard to notice it.

I have been reminded of a simple truth lately that is popping up everywhere I turn:

God is the focus of my love, attention, and service.

For instance, my prayer should be addressed to God, not Jesus. My prayer should end with “in Jesus’ name,” not “for Jesus’ sake.” It is not to Jesus that I am praying, it is through him that I am praying. I have also realized that my burn-out feelings with the church are partly due to the fact that I have focused my love and attention on the wrong thing. Whatever it was I was focusing on, it was not God. Granted, I did try to focus my thoughts and heart on God in church services and activities, but I never saw it as the main focal point. See the difference?

It’s ony been a couple of weeks, but this realization has given me so much more energy for my Christian walk.