I find it interesting that as a world we always choose to place our focus on things that bring no eternal significance.  I’m speaking as much to myself as I am anyone.  I am extremely blessed to ride around in a car that is fully paid for.  I remember the day I paid it off I scribbled, “HALLELUJAH” on the check.  I was so excited!!!  It was honestly one of the best days of my life.  My wife and I had made an agreement that we were going to try and get our finances in order and pay off as much debt as we possibly could.  I’m not even lying when I say it wasn’t even 3 months before my eyes started wandering.  “Oooooo–look at that SUV!!!  Man, that’s nice!!  I wonder how much the payment would be on something like that?!?”  WHAT?!?!?!?!?  WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!?!?  I just paid off my car!!!!!!  Why on earth why I want to go and put myself back in debt!?  My car was…….my car IS fine.  It hasn’t given me a moments problem outside of the normal weekly/monthly/yearly  things that must be taken care of (i.e. tires, oil changes, etc).  I had wandering eyes.  I saw something more shiny ride by me and my flesh said, “Oooooo–purty!!”  (Yeah, I said ‘purty.’  I live in the south, ha ha).

What was the real issue?  We’ve already established that I didn’t need anything new.  The answer is simple, I allowed my fleshly desires to steal my focus.  We are a sad society.  We live in a world where we are surrounded with visible/physical/mental stimulation.  I doesn’t matter how much you have there tends to be something better that you want to get your hands on.  We all know the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side of the fence [insert sarcastic stare here].  What “they” (there’s always a “they”) failed to tell us is that pasture sits on top of a septic tank.  I guess my question to you (and myself) is this, are you being faithful with what you have been given?  Rather than complaining that you don’t drive a new car, take a moment today and thank God you HAVE a car.  Rather than complaining that your husband/wife/son/daughter is “good for nothing” be thankful you have them in your lives.  There are many who would pay all they had to have just one more moment with a loved one.  Rather than complaining about the dirty dishes and the laundry that needs to be done be thankful you have food to feed your family and clothes to cover your body.  Instead of complaining because you came outside to a flat tire on your car, be thankful God spared you from a tragic car accident 5 miles from home on your way to work.  (Yeah, it’s possible there’s a reason for that flat tire.)  Romans 12:2 reminds us, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  There’s always going to be something more shiny.  What’s more important to you, earthly wealth or living life as a testimony of His greatness thus leading others to desire to also have a relationship with Him.  Don’t allow the world to dictate how you will act/react.  Be salt and light in a world that is dark and bland.  Wake up every morning and make it a point to allow your mind to be transformed and renewed.  Many things will come to steal your focus.  Those things may even seem to be important enough to take your eyes off of God.  Just remember Peter’s lesson; if you take your eyes off of Him most likely, figuratively speaking, you’ll begin to sink. 

It’s easy to focus on everything that is going wrong.  I encourage you today to be begin being thankful for what is going right.  It’s a funny thing, the more you focus on the good stuff the more you’ll realize the bad stuff isn’t as bad as you think it is.  Life isn’t perfect.  There will be seasons you feel like life is raining bad news.  It’s okay to be overwhelmed but be sure of this, no matter how big your problems seem, your God is MUCH BIGGER.  I’ll even take it one step further, begin thanking God for the struggle and the trials.  Wait!!!!!!  What?!?!?  {insert screeching brake sound here}  Yeah, I said it.  Thank him for the bad stuff.  Let’s face it, He said He would never put more on us than we can bear.  It may not be fun but it’s quite possible He’s trying to teach you something through your struggle.  And PLEASE stop giving the devil so much credit.  Just because something bad happens doesn’t mean it’s the devils fault.  He doesn’t have that much power!!  Sometimes we’re simply reaping the consequences of our own bad decisions from our past/present.   There’s a method to the madness, of this I’m sure.  Be reminded, “All things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”  I love the old hymn “What a Friend We Have In Jesus.”  The end of the first verse says “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear.  All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”  Focus on what’s good and right and let the other things just fall to the side.  Choose to focus on the author and finisher of your faith.  Choose to focus on Him!!!