Rediscovering MY Focus

You will notice that I have not made a post in several weeks now.  I have basically taken a sabbatical from all things that were distracting me from my ministry at hand.  We have had a lot going on here over the past 6 weeks or so, and I needed to focus my attention on those things rather than spend time blogging.  I have missed doing this, and plan on getting back in the swing of things.

I have been reminded over the past few days that God is my comforter, my provider, my friend and shepherd.  This week, some dear friends of ours that are part of our family at West University lost their twins due to complications to their pregnancy.  She was 17 weeks along, and I have been aching and grieving over the past few days.  Its been hard to get into much of anything this week.

I can’t help but draw so many parallels to this event.  First, it makes me even more appreciate for my wife and my daughter.  It makes me want to hug them, love them, pray for them, and give them what they need even more than I have been doing.

It also helps me think about how God must grieve when he loses one of us.  I’m drawn naturally to the parable of the lost sheep, and how the shepherd went out to rescue the one sheep.  How important are we to God that He would do this?  He doesn’t want to lose any of us, but sadly, He does.  When we start to see ourselves slipping from the grips of God, its not because God’s strength to hold us up has gone, but our desire to be held up is waning.  I look to God for strength, and pray that He will provide it so I am not lost.

A few verses that have helped me regain my focus this week after this event:

Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 27:4-5
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 11:25-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.