In the days since being told I would need six months of IV chemotherapy I have struggled with the idea of more time spent focused on my health. I was not happy about it and I felt frustrated most of the time, causing me to spend even more time and energy focused on my health!
And then one day God said to me, "Why are you focused on your health? I want you to focus on Me." He reminded me that whatever is going on in my life, my focus is still to be on Him. That's the only way I will be able to finish the race! Yes, I have to deal with issues related to my health, but the main focus of my life is to be Him.
Another translation of Hebrews 12:2 says "Fixing our eyes on Jesus..." When I "fix" my eyes on something, by definition that means I don't take my eyes off of that thing. No matter what else may be going on around me, my focus remains on the object where my eyes are fixed. When I am "fixed" on something I think about it constantly, I talk about it constantly, I want to be around the object of my fixation, I put everything else lower on the priority list.
It's so easy to fix my eyes on cancer, but God wants me to move my focus and fix my eyes on Jesus. He's already won the race. I can learn from Him. He will show me the secrets to make it to the finish line. He will show me how to put up with anything along the way.
Today I choose to keep my eyes on Jesus.
Thank you to those of you who prayed for my brother last week as he had his colonoscopy. His colon is healthy, not even a polyp!!
Good news about your brother's test...I really enjoyed listening to Chris speak tonight at church. What a wonderful person to have in your family. I was so glad to be back among the women of COF and especially happy to see you there!! I love you and so glad to call you my friend!!
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteI have never posted a comment on your blog before. However, I have enjoyed reading it. I was directed to your site by my daughter, Ashley McWhorter. I pray for you often, as am I praying for other dear friends that for that are also battling cancer.
Thank you for your words of wisdom about "fixing" on things other than God. Sometimes it does not even sound wrong to focus on a certain fix! But when I realized that I was praying with the wrong motives (as you spoke of) - usually for God to "fix" my situation. After many many times of falling on my face before God with the feeling of defeat - I realized that I was praying wrong all along. I focused on praying for God's divine will, His wisdom, His instruction, and His mercy and grace throughout it all.
Thank you Laura for your sweet words! I am praying for you!
Julie Marler
Oh Wow! Thats really powerful. ! I'm going to be thinking about that today. Its one thing to know we are to be focused on Him... its another to actually lay things down and focus on Him. That is powerpacked... it means alot... Focus... lots of stuff packed in that word.
ReplyDelete"I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.'
- Psalms 16:8
Happy about Steve !!!!!! What relief!
I read your blog all the time and this morning driving to work I prayed that God would be my boss today and that the Holy Spirit 1/2 of me would rule over the flesh part. I told God that I feel like I'm in a hurricane right now and it's crazy! Then I read your wonderful words on fixing on God and it really pulled it all together. I pray so often for God to fix things and people, and all the while I'm fixed on those things and people - like I'm pointing them out to God.
ReplyDeleteThank you Laura. You inspire me with every blog.
Cindy
I praise the Lord Jesus for Steve's report!! I love you, Laura. I pray for you daily. God is good-all the time!
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