Focus on what really matters

Good morning, everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Just keep dancing”

Our Bible verse for today: “But we encourage you, brothers and sisters, to do this even more, to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may behave properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.” 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Focus on what really matters”

More than ten years ago, my late wife Linda and I experienced an interesting shift in our thinking that resulted in major changes in our life. We came to appreciate the truth that in life, quality is more important than quantity. So, we decided to simplify and downsize in all areas. First we sold our large home and bought one half the size. Then we gave away or sold approximately 75% of our possessions. Then we cut out of our lives a lot of the busyness and activities that kept us constantly on the go but didn’t really add anything meaningful to our lives.

During that time, I also found myself drawn to books about the simple life. “Wisdom of the Plain Folk” by Donna Leahy; “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” by Annie Dillard; “The Little Way of Ruthie Leming” by Rod Dreher; “Jayber Crow” by Wendell Berry; and “The Farmer’s Son” by John Connell, just to name a few – all of them about the peaceful beauty of living a quiet and simple life.

I suppose one reason for our shift in thinking was simply the fact that we were older and had slowed down a little, but part of it was out of necessity too. Linda’s health issues required that we make some changes. But interestingly, that resulted in a much more pleasant and enjoyable life for us. It was slower, more peaceful and serene, and we learned to truly savor and enjoy the little things. This is the kind of life Paul was commending in 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 cited above.

In all my decades of working with people, I have observed that trials and difficulties, even sickness and apparent tragedies, have a way of shifting our thinking and causing us to focus on the things that really matter in life. Often, in the long run, in many ways, this shift in thinking ends up making things better rather than worse.

There was a note about this that I came across recently that captured my attention and reinforced by understanding of how important it is for us to slow down and simplify life. It came from the editors of The Upside-Down Bible, which is the study Bible I am currently using in my personal quiet time. The note was in reference to Jesus’ parable found in John 15:1-5 about the vine and the branches. The point was how important it is for us to remain deeply in fellowship with Jesus and how it is that the world we live in draws us away from that. Here’s their observation:

“The never-ending choices of the digital age make us shallow. And the hyper-individualism of the digital age also makes us isolated. Christian discipleship in the digital age involves recognizing and responding to these specific challenges. We do so by slowing down as the world speeds up, staying as the world scatters, and communing as the world criticizes.”

Yesterday I suggested to you that God brings good things out of bad situations for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). That’s what I’m talking about here. As you continue to deal with whatever it is you are wrestling with in life right now, I encourage you slow down, simplify, and focus on the things that really matter. Use this season in your life as an opportunity to reevaluate your life and to cut out things that have been weighing you down or holding you back. As the song says, “Maybe your world isn’t falling apart; maybe it’s falling into place.”

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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