What are you chasing?
Most every morning when I release our dog, Zeke, he has one thing on his mind…Bella! "How can I get to that cat before she scampers to the safety of the porch?" She taunts him from a distance, experience having taught her just how far she has to go and just how fast he is. “Meow!” He sits at the gate and waits until the latch is lifted and then he bolts! It’s on! Bodies leaning, hair raising, legs powering. It’s over in a flash. The cat sits calmly on the rail, licking her paw in triumph. The dog stands on full alert, wild-eyed, slobber dripping from his tongue hoping for a misstep. The morning chase is over. Bella wins again. He’s likely sat there in his pen thinking for the last hour staring at her wandering around the yard without a care in the world: "Cat," (I'm sure he doesn't know or care about her name) when I get out, which I will…Bam! I will get you!" His lone focus has been chasing her and tasting her. I hear his thoughts through his morning bark routine: Ruff! Ruff, ruff! Ruff, ruff, ruff, ruff! Ruff, ruff, ruff, ruff! Ruff! Do you know what that means in dog talk? Cat! Cat, Cat! Cat, cat, cat, cat! Cat, cat, cat, cat! Squirrel! What are you chasing? Does it seem as elusive as a wily cat? Do you find that you get easily distracted by the “squirrel”? We chase after a number of things… Significance Recognition Money Security Relationships Growth/ Success Don’t get me wrong…these things add color, texture and fulfillment to our life, but nowhere in Scripture are we encouraged to chase these things. What does the Word exhort us to chase? Wisdom!
1 Comment
My friend and photographer, Laura Humbles, captured this incredible photo of a Cooper's Hawk. I happened to be introducing my message on sharing Jesus with the fact that we talk about the things we love, and I love to watch birds do their thing. When she sent me this picture, I knew that I had to use it. So as I spoke about birds we put this image on the screen.
This bird is obviously an epically cool millennial Cooper's Hawk. Want to know how I know? Because like all the birds in his generation, he has to throw some sort of sign when his picture is taken. "What's he saying?" you ask. "G to the P bro!" Translation: "Grace and Peace mankind!" Want to know how to have the cool peace of a Cooper's Hawk? Read Matthew 6:26. Even the birds know. I am often convicted and sometimes confused when I read the parable that Jesus told about the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. But here's what I understand when I read it:
1. I am a steward and not the Master. 2. The Master has expectations. 3. I will give an account to the Master. So when I take time to reflect upon my life I try to ask myself some tough questions, and here are some of the ones I ask in terms of my stewardship of time, talent, temple and treasure. I call them my T4 questions. Perhaps they will help you. Time: Time is limited We all have the same amount of time each day We have various demands and expectations placed upon us We have the ability to determine how we spend or invest our lives. Questions Am I working the appropriate # of hours? Is God getting my BEST time? Am I working in my strength areas Am I managing my energy for my most demanding tasks? Am I bringing my best to the table? Talent: Questions How are you using your gifts to make an impact for the Kingdom of God? Am I exhibiting the heart of a servant? Who can I secretly serve? Temple: Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. How we care for our bodies is a reflection of our values. Your physical fitness influences your spiritual impact. Physical How do I feel physically? Am I stronger? Am I energized? Am I eating properly? Am I delaying any doctor’s appointments? Am I taking my vitamins? Are you placing harmful, dangerous, life-taking things into your body? Do you take care to rest appropriately? (Sabbath) Are you physically fit for your age? Relationally: Am I handling crisis at home? Am I handling pressure at work? Am I procrastinating a confrontation? Am I connecting with extended family? Who is giving me energy and who is draining my energy? To whom am I giving energy or draining energy? Is there someone I need to forgive or from whom I need to seek forgiveness? Intellectual Am I learning a new skill? Am I studying good theology? Am I reading good books? Am I listening to and having meaningful conversations with people smarter than I am? Treasure: For where your treasure is there your heart will be also. Your heart will follow your treasure! If you want (heart and mind) to love God fully, you place your treasure there! Questions Am I living on budget? Am I maintaining my possessions? Am I giving generously? And here's one more tough question: "Do you like who you are becoming?" Photo courtesy of Laura Humbles |
Archives
December 2021
Categories
All
|