Do you have your blinders on?

 

Sixteenth in the series Get close to God

I’m learning that the most important thing in life is not what I always thought was the most important.  It’s not climbing the corporate ladder, loving my family, or even serving God.  It’s knowing Christ.  Paul said he considered his status, his accomplishments, and “everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.  He considered them “rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.  He said “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings.”  (Philipians 3: 8-10)

I hesitate to speak for God, but I believe what he wants most is to have a relationship with us.  That’s why he created us.  He doesn’t need us to do anything for him.  He could snap his fingers and get it done instantly.  He gave us things to do and people to do them with so we’ll learn to trust him and see him work in and through us. 

Our activities are only a part of the process.  We don’t try to become good followers of Christ to earn a place to sit at his feet.  We sit at his feet to become good followers of Christ.  I’m often like Martha, who was busy doing stuff for the Lord, when I need to be more like Mary, who sat at his feet soaking up everything he said.  “Martha, Martha, he said, “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better.”  Living a holy life and loving others are important, but we won’t get far with that if we’re not abiding in Christ.

Why do we put blinders on horses?  To keep them from being distracted or frightened so they will stay focused on what’s in front.  We need to wear spiritual blinders to keep us focused on the Lord, to secure his presence, direction, and power instead of being distracted or frightened by the things of this world.  Our primary role is to be ambassadors for Christ.  Everything else should come after that.

We’ve all heard the advice to “let go and let God.”  Sounds easy, doesn’t it?  But the hardest thing I’ve ever tried to do is to let go of my thoughts, my desires, and my plans and to seek Christ and his will and his kingdom.  My biggest struggle is not with people or the pressures of life.  It’s with myself, trying to keep my blinders on, trying to keep the main thing the main thing!

Maybe you’re wondering, “Is it worth it?  What’s in it for me?”  How does this sound: freedom from worry, peace of mind, a deep satisfaction from knowing you are right where you need to be, and getting to experience a love that’s indescribable?  These are just a few of the benefits that are directly proportional to how close we are to God.  We gain a lot more than we lose!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.”  (Hebrews 12:1-2)

 

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