Tag: focus

I Kings 19:9-10

There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

Many times, we find ourselves isolated from the challenges and responsibilities of life. We deal with the internal struggle to continue in our mission and purpose. Sometimes, purpose can be an isolating feeling. The more we function in the will of God, the greater the distance we can feel from the elements of our lives.

We don’t always take the time to express ourselves. We don’t always feel safe enough to be honest about what we feel in moments of difficulty. We even struggle to tell God how we feel because we think it would demonstrate a lack of faith. Yet, God is always ready to hear our please, struggles, and concerns.

We must never take for granted the listening ear of our creator. We must take the healthy approach to relieve our stress and anguish so that we can continue on the journey that God has set for us. We must never forget that we serve a God who cares about all elements of our lives. Who knows? Our honesty with God may open the door to a solution to our struggle. Open yourself safely in the presence of God. God will always hold the deep things with care and sacredness.

Isaiah 54:15-17

If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you. Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.”

One of the misnomers of life is when we become selective when it comes to God. People believe that a power greater than ourselves created everything in this universe, including people. However, that thought process comes into question when we encounter various people in various stages of their lives. 

At some point, we have to deal with critics, doubters, earth-disturbers, hateful individuals, and so many other negative people. We’re faced with their attitudes. We’re confronted by their hatred. We are challenged by their confrontational nature. Yet, God created them.

It can be very frustrating to realize that people full of confusion are actually created in the image and likeness of God. Yet, everything about their disposition does not reflect the love, grace, mercy, or positive nature of God. They embrace being vindictive. They embrace being contradictory. They embrace being confrontational.

Why do I feel calm when dealing with these type of individuals? It’s actually quite simple. Because I know their Creator, I am confident that said Creator already knows how to fix and alter the deficiencies that lie within. 

God promised those who live righteously that nothing formed with the intent to destroy will work against those whom God loves. I am guaranteed victory every time I am confronted by opposition in God created flesh. That means no matter what I face and opposition to my destiny and purpose. God already has a strategy to make certain that I prosper.

On this day, I don’t place energy into defending myself. I redirect my energy to fulfilling the will of God for my life. By doing this, I will be able to embrace, receive, and enjoy the fulfillment of God‘s will for my life. I don’t have time for foolishness. I only have time for heaven’s reward.

I Kings 19:4-8

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

When I played football, we will work on drills that required our attention to our footwork. Our coaches will tell us during the drill to keep chopping. Keep chopping meant keep your feet moving. It didn’t make a difference whether our legs were tired, our muscles were tightening up, or our energy was running low. We kept chopping.

It gets difficult to keep chopping when it feels like you’re not going anywhere. It feels even worse when you’ve won, and you still have to find a way to keep chopping. Sometimes, you may just want to sit under a tree, lament, and quit. However, the coach called you back to put in that work.

The difference between God and a coach is that God will see and examine the needs we have before we’re put back on the field. Sometimes, when we feel like we wanna quit, because we haven’t been fed or done the things that are necessary to keep basic maintenance. Sometimes, we stop because we don’t know any other thing that we can do.

Allow God to provide. Allow God to offer you rest and restoration under the tree. Do not allow your tree to become the headstone to your purpose and vision. Find maintenance for your journey because the next phase can’t be handled by a tired you.