What You Focus On Expands

Numbers 15-18, Psalm 113, Colossians 3

It’s been a hard day.  Actually, it’s been a tough week.  Now that I think about it, the last month has been pretty rough.  The longer I sit and think about how tough my life is, the tougher it becomes.  This is nothing new.  You have heard it before.  Earl Nightingale says it this way, “we become what we think about most of the time.”  I also like the way Craig Groeschel puts it.  He says, “your life is moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts.”  Hmmm…. maybe I should take an inventory of my thoughts.

I did it tonight as I sat down for dinner.  I caught myself thinking about my day, reliving conversations and frustrations.  I reminded myself that I didn’t sleep well last night and that tonight was probably going to be tough too.  I am busy, you know.  As my family gathered around the dinner table, concocting a blessing was not in me.

“Mom, will you pray for us?”  Clever, aren’t I?  I can still fulfill the obligation of praying before dinner without actually praying.  At least, I thought so.

As Jennifer began to pray, I found stillness.  Not because I was still but because my mind turned to God.  In an instant, I found an undeserving peace.

I think this is what Paul is talking about in Colossians 3 when he tells us to “set our sights on the realities of heaven.”  This is, he says, where Christ sits.  He is sitting n the place of honor, at God’s right hand.  I think of the throne room.  It feels holy and sanctified.  I feel small.  At the same time, I am whole.

These thoughts are not for God’s benefit; they’re for ours. Think about it.  Where would life take you if you spent more time thinking about the things of heaven, not the things of earth?