The Focus

Night slips into day that slips into night allowing time to slide together.  Life-hurts and unexpected arrows fuel emotions and thoughts that work overtime.  Weariness.  I wonder where a day went  . . . devoured by what ifs, and whys, and how-do-I-do-this moments that have no boundaries.

Come to Me,

All who are weary and heavy-laden,

And I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

And "automatic pilot" could be an easy out, which has been a prime choice of mine in years past.  What are other ways we endure life-hurts in our own strength?
     Ignore brokenness by stuffing the pieces into hiding.
     Run from disappointment by starting something new.
     Numb the pain.
     Cause a physical pain to mask the emotional pain.

But God gave another plan.  A perfect plan.  He sent His Son to walk through brokenness, pain, rejection, disappointment and unjust circumstances.  Because of this, we have an understanding Savior who shows us the way back through the darkness of life-hurts to wholeness with the Father.

"I am the way, 

and the truth, 

and the life.  

No one comes to the Father 

except through me.

John 14:6

Jesus knows the hurt.
     He shows the way out.
          Jesus stands and knocks on the door of our souls.
               He saves us from destruction.
Jesus stands before the Father as our advocate even as we stumble and bumble through life-hurts.

As a ballerina learns to spin, she finds a focus mark.  That mark keeps her world in balance.

When life sends enemy-spins, a mark to focus is needed.
To keep balance in our hearts, there will be a mark on which we focus.  

I know mine.

Take My yoke upon you,

and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart;

and you shall find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:29

Jesus.

And what do I learn when I stare at Jesus?

Jesus asked His  closest friends to come aside and pray with Him on Passover night before His capture and crucifixion.  And He showed that friends were only part of the journey . . . He went further, alone, before His Father.

He prayed.
     He cried out.
          He agonized.
He shared His heart with His Father, God.
     He submitted.
          Jesus surrendered to the Father's will.
And He blessed His enemies with forgiveness.

"Father, forgive them;

for they do not know what they are doing."

Jesus.  
Spoken from the cross. 
Luke 23:34

God allowed difficult-beyond-human-ability circumstances for Jesus and, because of them, we can know He understands ours.  He is gentle and humble and life-giving in His teaching:

But I say to you who hear,

love your enemies,

do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you, 

pray for those who mistreat you.

And just as you want people to treat you,

treat them in the same way.

But love your enemies,

and do good, 

and lend, expecting nothing in return;

and your reward will be great,

and you will be sons of the Most High;

for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

Luke 6:27-28, 31, 35

And His servant Peter said it again another way:

To  sum up,

let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly,

kindhearted, and humble in spirit;

not returning evil for evil,

or insult for insult,

but giving a blessing instead;

for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing.

1 Peter 3:8-9

What is your focus mark?

In the middle of life-hurts, I pray it is Jesus.

Love always,

Angie

Click on this link to hear Jason explaining the song Where I Belong
Then listen to the whole song:  Where I belong by Building 429