Focus on the Prize!
Isaiah chapter 30 verses 19-22.
O my people, you shall weep no more, for He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. He will answer you. Though He gave you the bread of adversity and water of affliction, yet He will be with you to teach you---with your own eyes you will see your Teacher. And if you leave God's paths and go astray, you will hear a Voice behind you say, "No, this is the way; walk here." And you will destroy all your silver idols and golden images and cast them out like filthy things you hate to touch. "Ugh!" you will say to them. "Be gone."
All you see is bling. You have dug a hole so deep that you see no way of climbing out. You find it hard to be happy and content. The only thing that pleases you is getting more. Your prize is the fear of not having enough. Everything is important to you. You have such a loving and generous heart.
You do not want to hurt anyone, you know that walking down the paths that are sparkling with glitter will lead you on and on forever. There is no end to it's beauty. All the things you ever wanted, right there just waiting for you to get.
It does not care who you are or what you are about to do. It does not warn you or try to make you look the other way. No, it's only goal is to continually draw you in and take your focus off of the reality of the most brightest, most plentiful, most peaceful place ever.
Lot's of people never find their way out. They can never see past all the wonderful things they can have. They are happy to struggle as long as they are getting. It would take a miracle to look the other way and to even step towards a different direction, trusting that it is going to lead you in a way that you are content and happy.
The miracle is Jesus! God has made it possible for us to know the offer of another choice in life. He even promises to support us and guide us through the temptations. He will help you see the most amazing, most beautiful life ever imaginable. Above all your deepest desires or hopes, He will not let you be misguided any further.
The path may not be as bright and filled with as much brilliance as the ones that tug at your desires but it can make you curious and when you head in it's direction, when you call out to God, you begin to see a beauty not expected. You begin to see others there also, realizing that you are not the only one who is walking towards the path of God.
Looking back you can see, what you never really noticed before, everyone is focused on what they can get and what they can have and always wanting to show off their stuff, proudly displaying what they do have. Their piles are so high that they have a hard time seeing around them. For the first time you see all your stuff and are thankful that you have as much as you do. You are thankful for stepping away, and you know that it is only because of God's wonderful grace that you can now see Jesus and all that has come from Him.
You are experiencing a happiness for Jesus and a love for God. Over there you saw glimpses of happiness for a moment but here it seems to be all around you, all the time. There is singing and humming. Everywhere you look there is plenty, you are no longer thinking about getting more but about what it is you should be doing. Your focus is on what is happening to you, thankful to God for Jesus and hearing your prayers.
Imagine someone falling and as you look, there is Jesus coming to help them. Wow! It is Jesus, God's Son. Do they know Him? Are they ready to accept His help? You want so bad for others to know what you have found. All your problems, all your worries of guilt, shame and the hopes for something better are instantly replaced with the prize that is now in front of you.
People you know may look for a moment as to where you went, you are not with them, but then they quickly see something they would like to have and loose site of you. If they do ask, you try, to explain it to them, maybe they want to hear more and maybe they show interest. Hopefully they listen and do not get distracted by the things that tempt them. You are well aware of how easily temptation can draw you in, but now you stand up against it because God is your strength and the place where you want your heart to be.
You once struggled with debt, addictions, relationships and love. You reached for the bible in hopes of finding something different, something better. And you found the truth. You found Jesus and a life with God. There is a battle to let go of what you and your daily habits have been used too, but your determination to overcome is stronger.
Family and friends are happy for you, yet they are not in the same place as you. You wish they could understand, but they are happy with who they are and the life they have. You have to be the example of what they can have and let them find their own way. You support them with love in their times of troubles and are ready with a listening ear. You share your struggles, worries and concerns, letting them know that it is God who directs your paths and it is life with Him that is the joy in your heart.
The prize is the goal! The goal is not blurred but clearly seen and the joy is reaching your goal. God has a plan for your life and Jesus is there to show you how to understand and reach your goals. The direction you get keeps you safe and filled with the energy and wisdom needed. And your happiness for trusting in God is seen in the accomplishments of each step you take.
Your thankfulness is seen in your obedience and determination to stay focused. You do not know what will come next but you are not concerned. You are no longer ready to fight but to be humble and confident in who you are with God.
Thank You Father for Jesus and showing a direction that was not looked at or even considered before. 😊
Isaiah chapter 41 verse 13.
I am holing you by your right hand---I the Lord your God---and I say to you. Do not be afraid; I am here to help you.
Romans chapter 5 verses 3-5.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials for we know that they are good for us---they help us to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.
2 Corinthians chapter 4 verses 16-18.
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the Lord is growing every day. These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won't last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God's richest blessing upon us forever and ever! So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.
Ephesians chapter 5 verses 19 and 20.
Talk with each other much about the Lord, quoting psalms and hymns and singing sacred songs, making music in your hearts to the Lord. Always give thanks for everything to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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