Stay Focused

    The boy in the video above is trying to see how many licks it takes to finish a sucker.  But in the end you'll see that he got lost in the process. I am not certain if he finished but with most people, licking the tip of a marker is not ideal and doesn't exactly promote good feelings.  But I believe there is something to be gleaned from this video. 

    Every day of our lives is like a tick mark on the paper.  And the blessing of being a Christian in fellowship with God is like the taste of a lollipop.  At times we get distracted by the days and end up missing out on the sweetness of Christianity. We lose loved ones, relationships fail, we have financial troubles, and then we end up licking the marker. We taste bitterness and oftentimes we'll put down Christianity for something else. And ultimately we are only focused on making new tick marks, looking at the ones we already have made, and thinking about the ones we will make. All to avoid the bitterness that life throws our way. 

    Let us think on the simple words of Jesus in Matthew 6.

Matthew 6:31-34 English Standard Version (ESV)

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

    Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  God's reign within his kingdom is something worth seeking. Imagine a world where everyone knew, respected, and obeyed God. That's a unified kingdom. We can make that happen by controlling what we can, us as individuals that make up the kingdom. And we can be confident that God is going to do right by his people! He has a proven track record. Through it all! The number of days (tally marks), the bitterness of some days (licking the marker), and sometimes frustrating circumstances COUNT ON THE SWEETNESS OF BEING ALIGNED WITH THE KING!  We cannot control yesterday or tomorrow.  Be the best you TODAY!