"Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least." Goethe
"Hocus Pocus!" is a phrase magicians use to introduce or prepare the audience for a magic trick. When we hear that familiar phrase, we know that something is likely to disappear--or at least appear to disappear--right before our very eyes. Just when we think we have our eyes keenly focused on what's in front of us, it's gone!
We understand that magicians don't really have the power to make things disappear, but we are entertained and sometimes amazed by their skill in deflection, distraction and slight of hand. There are, however, some street hustlers who really can make things disappear--like your money if you fall for their enticing shell game and fail to keep your eye on the ball!
When it comes to our ability to keep our eyes focused on what's most important in life, sometimes it seems as if someone has yelled to us, "Hocus Pocus!" and then "poof!" our focus has disappeared.
There are so many competing priorities in life that sometimes it's hard to maintain our focus. The enemy loves to keep us in a fog about where we should focus our energy and attention, because as long as we stay in a fog, we're less likely to get on course or help others stay on course.
Some of us have found ourselves habitually putting our energy into temper tantrums, criticizing others, circular arguments that benefit no one, "get rich quick" schemes, pity parties, or trying to force everyone around us to accept our shortcomings instead of allowing God to transform us and renew our minds.
This inability to focus our attention and energy in more productive directions could be the result of the lingering presence of childhood wounds in which people inflicted anger, criticism or insensitivity on us or modeled those behaviors around us.
Our brains are like super absorbent sponges with video recorders attached to them. We soak up things involuntarily and then it only takes a touch of our buttons to replay the trauma over and over again. Some of what we are so intently focused on today would change completely if we would allow God's healing hand to free us from yesterday's trauma and drama that left us with wounded hearts, tainted minds and clouded eyesight.
God's Holy Spirit leads us and guides us into all truth. An important truth that should be a focal point for our lives is that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are God's workmanship, vessels designed to showcase the best in life, not the worst.
On October 31, I saw a number of houses decorated to look like the worst nightmare. People actually but their best into making their homes the worst. Do we focus that kind of energy into adorning our houses (our bodies) and living our lives in such a way that we display the glory of God to everyone who sees us?
People showed no shame and spared no expense to display death and promote darkness on October 31, what is actually All Hallows Eve, the evening before All Saints Day. How many of us are willing to boldly promote that real joy doesn't come from revelry but is a fruit of the Spirit and comes with no shame?
Life is too short for us to keep running in circles chasing our own tails or following the tail or trail of anyone else who's running in circles. God has promised to keep us in perfect peace if we keep our mind stayed--focused-- on Him. So let's keep the main thing the main thing, leave the "Hocus Pocus" to the magicians, and keep our focus on the Master.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
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