Thursday, August 14, 2008

Focus On The Future

by Donna L. Watkins

Too often we live our days in the past reviewing in our minds all the mistakes and things we can find to feel guilty about. It becomes a habit. Don't you know somebody that never has anything to say that's not negative? It's a rut!

© 2008 Donna L. Watkins - Squirrel Cuckoo - Costa Rica
If you're beginning the foundation work for a rutty life, give it up now and focus on the future. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope hope and a future."

Focus on the future! The Bible talks about ants preparing for the winter while it is yet summer. We have a plan and purpose in life and that needs to be our focus. Not all the things going wrong. Life is full of unhappy circumstances. What we do with those circumstances is what makes us or breaks us. We get better or bitter. Which path holds the most promise? Getting better. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God."

Notice there is a prerequisite to this promise. We must love God. Loving God means we must trust and believe in His will for our lives and that even the worst of times has a good purpose for us. Our life on earth is not only for our enjoyment, it's for our training for eternity in Heaven. How we go through bad times will determine the kind of life we live while on this earth.

There's something you're passionate enough about to take you out of the negative aspects of your life. Get your focus on the future. Can't seem to find your purpose in this world? I'm reading a wonderful book right now that lays it out so simply and yet direct. Max Lucado's Cure For The Common Life - Living In Your Sweet Spot tells me that we are each custom-designed for a one-of-a-kind assignment and it helps you discover how your ability unveils your destiny.

It's right there ready to hit us in the face when we look at it, but it all seems to easy to truly be God. Like life has to be difficult for it to be our purpose or calling. Living in our purpose is living in the "sweet spot" of life. God wants us to be happy and fulfilled and he made us so unique with talents and skills that will honor him. As author Laurie Beth Jones says, "This book can cure whatever 'blah' that ails you!" It's certainly revving me up to move forward and grab everybody around me and take them along!

Ever see an ant carrying something three times its size? Sometimes we don't dream big enough. We don't allow ourselves to believe that what makes us happy and passionate about life is actually our life's calling. It's our way to glorify our Father, by being exactly who He made us to be. He gave us our traits, dreams and abilities to live life in a sweet spot that only we can fulfill in His Master Plan.

The sooner we stop whining about what we can't be and have, and focus on what is truly us and what we're naturally passionate about, the sooner we'll be able to move beyond any bad circumstances in life because our focus will be on something more. If something seems to big
for you to accomplish alone, ask for help. Ants are great individual workhorses, but there are times when it takes a team to move something to completion.

"Glory be to God who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we could ever dare to ask or even dream of." Ephesians 3:20

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© 2000-2008 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com for more articles and free email subscription.
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