Thursday, June 23, 2011

Stepping Stones: Which Commercial Represents Your Spiritual Life?

Transformational Thought

The other day, I saw a commercial from 1972 being compared to one from today. What an incredible difference. Today’s had so much stimulation … faster action, brighter colors, more faces, multiple activities, quicker scene transitions, and graphics popping in and out. It was shorter, cluttered, avoided values, appealed to emotions, and the message blurred. Just like the world’s daily commercials intruding in our lives. The old commercial was longer and slower, appealed to your reasoning, and had values and a clear message. Just like God’s message and relationship with us.

Our society has so much stimulation from cellphones, texting, computers, WiFi, ipods, audio books, and a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities. This world throws so many things at us with a clear purpose: to interfere with our awareness of God and to interrupt our communion with God.

We need to let God train us in steadiness, then actually practice steadiness. Constant awareness of Him will help you maintain the steadiness in your walk that God desires for you. Don’t allow unexpected events and random stimulation throw you off course. Rather, respond calmly and confidently knowing that God is with you. As soon as something grabs your attention, get into the habit of talking to God about it. Today’s scripture tells us clearly that we are not alone. God is there to help us cope with whatever circumstances we are facing.

Today, try to remind yourself to refocus back to and talk with God once an hour. Those WWJD bracelets really can work. Anything that will prompt you to connect with God more often … a little watch alarm … your cellphone … markings in your daytimer … a bracelet or string around your wrist. Check out our Awareness Bracelets. More connection with God makes it easier to develop His lenses … then events or distractions won’t throw you so easily. Thinking instead of reacting will be easier, and you will be one step closer to the Mind of Christ.

Prayer
Dear Father God,I feel so unsteady today, I feel as if I have no footing and that I am ready to fall. I ask for Your continual presence in my life. I know, Lord, that when I reach and grasp for Your hand, I must let go of the other things I am holding tightly to. I know You have designed me to need You moment by moment. As my awareness of my neediness for You increases I become more steady. I seek Your face, Father, and I approach you with a teachable spirit. Help me build a discipline of connecting with you daily just like I use my computer, cell phone, texting, TV, and car radio regularly.I pray in the name of the One who was never distracted from God, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.
Isaiah 6:3

We live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
Matthew 7:24-25