What are you Seeking?

 “Our attention determines the inputs or messages we receive,” and in a time when all that we are seeing, hearing, watching is focused on turmoil and negativity, how are you feeling? What message are you receiving? 

I mean really, how are you feeling? 

When you stop from the busy, and you take a minute to contemplate your heart, are you pleased with where you are and how you are feeling? (Can you find a minute? To think on your own?)

I know that for me, when I begin to feel overwhelmed with life, I have to first breathe. To prepare my mind for prayer, I have to get my mind and body ready for talk with God.

Then, I have to clear my mind. I do this by finding a spot away from everyone. Everything. All the noise and distractions - even the kids, the dogs, and the phone!

I once had a friend tell me, “But, my kids follow me into my room!” If your children are elementary age and can handle being alone for a couple of minutes, invite them to find a quiet corner and do exactly what you are doing! Do it with them the first time, and maybe the second time, but the third time and beyond, let your child(ren) know that this is your time with God and it’s their opportunity to have time with God too! If your children are younger than elementary age, have them join you but emphasize the importance of quiet. We do this in chapel each week with 2s - 4s. And, believe it or not, the 2 year olds can even stay quiet through the lesson and prayer time! If your child is an infant or you’re struggling to help them stay quiet for a time, try naptime or bedtime. 

Now, you have a quiet space - your bedroom, your closet, your bathroom, your backyard, your garage. Find a space that works for you. This is the space that if you make it a habit, your mind and body will become accustomed to finding peace there. 

Let’s go back to the original questions, here in your quiet space. How is it with your soul? How is your heart? How is your mind? How is your body? Does it feel heavy? Like you are carrying the weight of the world? Contemplate HOW you feel and WHAT or WHERE these feelings are coming from.

Could it be that something you are watching, doing, or relying on is affecting who you are becoming, how you are feeling, and how you act toward others? 

When we turn to scripture, we hear Paul remind us time and time again that our flesh wants to take control but we must rely on the Spirit to guide our way. Paul was the worst of the worst for a time. He was anti-Christian. He was the leader in following the Law and insisting that Jesus was not the Law! But, even he was transformed. Even he was given an opportunity to know Christ and learn to live a life focused on Christ-centered thoughts and actions. 

Read Romans 7 and 8, Romans 12, and look what he says in Colossians 3:1 - 4 -- 

“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.”

Read this scripture again. You belong to Christ and Christ is your redeemer. In Him we can hope and in Him we can find rest, peace, joy, love… When we find ourselves watching the news 24/7 or scrolling social media hours a day or fall into the trap of talking ABOUT someone rather than to someone, we are worshipping, centering, our lives around hurtful things. And, ultimately, we are setting an example for our children to follow this legacy. 

This is not to pour guilt into your life. This is not to say that you can’t stay current on the happenings around us through news and social media. This is not to say that you can’t ask for prayer or seek out resources for a hurting friend. 

What I am asking you to consider is, where is your heart? And, if it isn’t where you wish it would be, in line with your Savior, then what practical changes can you make to head in a more joy-filled, hope-filled direction?

Finding 5 minutes of quiet to pray each day, turning off your phone for a given amount of time each afternoon, refusing to allow electronics at the dinner table, eating dinner together, as a family, going on a walk together, asking your children or spouse or accountability partner or mom or dad - “What are your two God sightings and where do you wish you could’ve seen/felt God with you today?”

Realigning our hearts to our Creator and Redeemer helps us to take on a new perspective. It helps us to push away the negativity that we aren’t good enough, smart enough, capable enough, and replaces those thoughts with, “I created you for this exact thing, in this exact moment, for this exact reason!”

I want to leave you with this closing thought:

Who are you today, and how will you change or stay the same, so that tomorrow, you are closer to Jesus? 

The life we live is the legacy we leave for those behind us. As Fred Rogers said, “Please think of the children first. If you ever have anything to do with their entertainment, their food, their toys, their custody, their day or night care, their health care, their education—listen to the children, learn about them, learn from them, think of the children first.” (2003)5

For it is the children who will lead in the next generation of believers.