“Brethren, I do
not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I
press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 3:13-14 NKJ)
not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I
press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 3:13-14 NKJ)
What would you do if
your doctor said, “you have six months, maybe a year to live”? Or if
you had a near death experience, would you begin to live your life differently?
How would you focus your life?
your doctor said, “you have six months, maybe a year to live”? Or if
you had a near death experience, would you begin to live your life differently?
How would you focus your life?
A colleague and
friend relates the following story. “As I lay in the hospital bed,
everything seemed to get dim for a second and I had the sense of leaving my
body. Then everything in the room glowed with light. It wasn’t like a spotlight
focused on me or anything. Instead the whole room illuminated spectacularly.
And a team of nurses and doctors appeared at the door. The Charge Nurse called
my name and asked: ‘is everything alright?’ I responded affirmatively and she
said, ‘Your heart stopped for five seconds.’ Then I replied, ‘Well, the Lord
told it to start again.’ “
friend relates the following story. “As I lay in the hospital bed,
everything seemed to get dim for a second and I had the sense of leaving my
body. Then everything in the room glowed with light. It wasn’t like a spotlight
focused on me or anything. Instead the whole room illuminated spectacularly.
And a team of nurses and doctors appeared at the door. The Charge Nurse called
my name and asked: ‘is everything alright?’ I responded affirmatively and she
said, ‘Your heart stopped for five seconds.’ Then I replied, ‘Well, the Lord
told it to start again.’ “
With a little more
reflection, my friend concluded that the Lord had more for him to do. This
“more-to-do” perspective helps him focus his priorities. It motivates
his spirit in the midst of discouragement or overwhelming human weakness.
reflection, my friend concluded that the Lord had more for him to do. This
“more-to-do” perspective helps him focus his priorities. It motivates
his spirit in the midst of discouragement or overwhelming human weakness.
Think about this:
there is still more ahead for me to achieve. I have not fully taken hold of the
purpose for which Christ called me. So what to do? Focus. Focus my past, both
successes and failures. Focus my present with a constant view to the future. Focus
my energies on my purpose, goal and mission.
there is still more ahead for me to achieve. I have not fully taken hold of the
purpose for which Christ called me. So what to do? Focus. Focus my past, both
successes and failures. Focus my present with a constant view to the future. Focus
my energies on my purpose, goal and mission.
Dear Father, thank
you for giving me a purpose and a mission. Empower me with your higher call in
Christ Jesus. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for giving me a purpose and a mission. Empower me with your higher call in
Christ Jesus. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
The race is
exhilarating, but destination and reward are motivators.
exhilarating, but destination and reward are motivators.