Adjust Focus

Some days I need a reminder of what God has done for me.  Have you ever been there?  You just aren’t “feeling it”.  On days like that I read through Psalms 40.  Right from the begin I am reminded of where I once was, “He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from the mud.  He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I would not slip.” (v. 1-2)  The thought of where I once was and where I am now is all I need to change my focus.

There is a promise given by the prophet Ezekiel, “I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you.  I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed.” (Ezekiel 36:26)  Wow!  I am (you are) being made new!

If I turn a few more pages in the New Testament, I see the wholeness and completeness given to me because of Jesus!  “So you are made complete through your union with Christ” (Colossians 2:10)  What was once broken and lost is now new and complete!  What an amazing thought!

It is easy to get bogged down in who I once was or what type of life you may have once lived.  Yes it was muddy and ugly, but you and I are no longer stuck there.  Because of the love poured out on the cross and the triumph in the empty tomb we are made whole!  Did you hear that?  You are made whole!

When God looks at you now all He sees is beauty - made pure and holy through Jesus.  There is not longer ugliness and shame!  All He sees is the son or daughter He designed before the beginning of time!  Full of promise and potential, calling and purpose!  Focus on those amazing words!  

A simple reminder can go a long way.  It will change your focus.  When we look in the mirror we need to see exactly what God sees!  And walk away full of confidence and power - we are firmly planted on the Rock!