What’s Your Focus?

Lately, I’ve been super busy. Between my day job as a teacher, my volunteer work with Young Life and Wyldlife, and trying to get my new business Avenue A In-Home Tutoring off the ground, I’ve been working myself to death. If I’m not grading a mountain of papers or running kids around all over town, I’ve got my nose buried in the laptop trying to drum up business and build my brand. Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not complaining about any of it. I know how blessed I am to have the resources and energy to be able to do all of these things. But, there comes a time when I do begin to feel overwhelmed, and without fail, I’m always reminded of the same exact thing.

You see, none of the things I’ve mentioned is intrinsically evil. In fact, I believe with my heart of hearts that they are all worthwhile causes that warrant my attention. However, I have a tendency to allow even the good things in my life to push Jesus out of the place of honor that He deserves. When this happens, I usually feel like my life is spinning out of control.

It’s really easy for me to steal time away from Christ. After all, He’ll forgive me, right? But, I’m learning with each new day that although He longs to be with me and to care for me, He’ll never force Himself upon me so when I start stepping all over Him, He gladly backs away until I realize that I just can’t do it all without Him. The fact is, I absolutely cannot do it without Him.

So, what do I have to do? It’s really as simple as giving Him back what is rightfully His. My time is a gift that He’s given me stewardship over. Close study of His Word and His nature will reveal that the best way to spend it is by using it to develop a more intimate and meaningful relationship with Him.

15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NASB)

You Mean It’s Not All About Me?

First, I strongly believe that while part of our character is genetic, most is directly related to our environment. Since becoming a teacher 6 yrs ago, each new class is increasingly self-centered. I feel like until they are actively taught it, they have no idea that there are other students in their class!

I remember when the “Golden Rule” was generally understood and considered the top class rule. All that was needed was a gentle reminder to, “remember the ‘Golden Rule,’” and problems were solved. I wanted to be treated well so I made sure I treated others that way too! On rare occasions, a student didn’t know or care, but this was only a handful of students in the whole school. I’ve got one class of 23 this year with about 6 of these kids!

Here’s the deal; every influential teacher in the Bible teaches selfLESSness. In Matthew 7:12 Jesus sums up the Old Testament and teachings of the prophets with, “so in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” Later, Paul reminds the Philippians to, “look not only to [their] own interests, but also to the interests of others (Phil 2:4).”

Remember on this holy weekend that building relationships is a process. Forcing your agenda down others’ throats will only drive them away. Promote others 1st, yourself 2nd.

I have, by no means, perfected this in my life, but when Christ teaches this as the gist of His ENTIRE message, I take that pretty seriously! Don’t be afraid to be a doormat sometimes. Jesus wasn’t. In fact, He considered all of us before Himself… to the point of death.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11(NIV)