Thursday, November 5, 2015

A Shift In Focus / Give Thanks



The holiday season is upon us! You know what that means... long lines, grumpy faces, smiling children and a mix of family, friends and lots of parties and festivities. Bring on the happy. I love this time of year! However, this time of year also brings sadness for many. It can be a reminder of loved ones lost, loneliness and heartache. For this reason I have decided to shift my focus from normal routines to finding new ways to show gratitude to people I have not seen or spoken to in a long time before the Thanksgiving holiday arrives.


Over the next few weeks I will be sending thank yous and shout outs on Facebook and in the mail to as many people as I can while I am on the road. Taking the time to think of others will provide me with the opportunity to be a blessing to others and to focus on doing the will of the Father.


We must endeavor to honor God and giving thanks in the midst of all situations and circumstances in life.


How many of us have heard what is commonly referred to as the Lord’s Prayer? This is a prayer taken out of the book of Matthew when Jesus was distressed about his circumstance and what will be required of him in offering up his life as a sacrifice for us. He stops all other interactions and prays to his father in heaven. We can see here that he has shifted his focus from his difficult circumstances to focus on the will of God.


Matthew 6:9-13King James Version (KJV)

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.


Even though the holidays can be a tough time to get through, you can shift your focus onto the Father in heaven. Focusing on seeing God's will be done in your life and those around you will help you to approach your days with purpose and thanksgiving while you wait to see the will of God revealed.


We are instructed in to

1 Thessalonians 5:18King James Version (KJV)

18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.


But what does it mean to give thanks "...in all things..."? It means to stay focused on God and what He has done and continues to do for us daily and seeking to fulfill the plan he has for our lives while we are going through every stage of life. Even when terrible things happen we can press through by thanking God for the smallest thing in our lives to the largest that are right. Don't get stuck on what is wrong. Look for and seek out what is right around you. Giving thanks will take you from a place of being defeated by life to a place of peace that only God can give. This happens when we follow his most basic of instructions.


I will begin my journey into the holiday season with joy and thanksgiving not because of the time of year. I will enter into this time of Thanksgiving seeking to share more gratitude and extending grace to others.


But first...

Lord, I am here at the table of your mercy hoping with all that I have that you hear my heart’s cry. I only want more of you, to do your will and for your to guide me. Don’t let me be distracted by my circumstance. Don’t let me be discouraged by the way things seem to be. I trust and believe my beginning is not my end. Lord make a way for me to stay faithful I pray. The desire of my heart is to see your glory manifested in my family, friends and all the earth. Thank you for being the God who first loved us in the midst of our sin and saw something worth saving. Thank you for sending us your holy word so that we may grow closer to you and learn how to be a blessing to others.