Volume 67: 2024 - Rest in Focus

Jesus, thank you for 2023 - a year of learning more and more about you through studying the gospels. I pray over 2024 - that no matter what the year may bring, my life would be one that glorifies you. For that is the most important thing I can do! 

I don't quite know what 2024 will hold.. Right off the bat, I will have to decide about continuing to work for Ozark or to move on to something new... Whether I am in Houston or Chattanooga, working for camp or teaching, may I remain FOCUSED on what matters. On what's true. 

Recently I was listening to a Podcast that stated, "The most important thing is to keep the most important thing the most important thing." That's right - read it again! 

What's the most important thing? Jesus. 

Sounds like a good Christian answer right there huh! But claiming Jesus as the most important thing means so much more than just praying or reading the Bible. It changes my approach to how I live each day. 

By focusing on Jesus and glorifying Him with my life in everything I do, I will:

choose to not allow distractions to win. I will stay focused. 

choose to not allow worry to consume. I will stay focused. 

choose to not allow doubt to rule. I will stay focused. 

Rather than giving my attention to things of this world, may I focus on what's true and what matters. 

When my mind is racing about work or where I'll live or singleness or friendships, may I focus on Jesus and watch as all my worries begin to fade away. And see all good things begin to stem from Him. 

May I focus when reading the Bible In a Year. 

May I focus when praying. 

May I focus on resting and quieting my mind. 

May I focus on celebrating and encouraging my friends and family and be fully present with them. 

May I focus on eating well and being active. 

May I focus on one thing at a time and be disciplined. 

May I focus on the person speaking to me. 

May I focus on learning new things!

May I focus on the work I am doing and do it well. 

What does it mean to focus? To pay particular attention to.

Jesus, you have my attention!!

Outward focused. Focused on one thing at a time. Upward focused. 

On January 1, I set out to stay focused on what matters.

On January 2, I immediately lost focus... overthinking, letting fear win, and being completely self-focused. Where is my trust? Where is my willingness to take a leap of faith? Why am I worried and anxious? 

A lot comes down to fear. Something I don't deal with often, but mainly because I don't often place myself in new situations. 

Friday night, as I was driving to the cabin, my mind was racing.... 

And then Madison sent a video of Blakely and Teagan watching Beauty in the Beast and Blakely is scared of the beast. Instead of admitting her fear, she comforts Teagan, who isn't even paying attention at all... "Don't be scared... Blakely is here! It's okay Teagan! Teagan, do you want to see Gaston?" 

I felt comfort in that video... that if it is a 3 year olds natural instinct to comfort her 1 year old sister, then my Heavenly Father definitely has compassion for me. He's not mad at me for my fear. Instead, He is with me, patting my back, saying "Don't be scared, Morgan! It's okay, your Heavenly Father is here!"

And then I made it to the cabin and made a fire outside. As I was sitting there, I thought more about the concept of fear.. I was out there alone, and I wasn't afraid. However, if I was sitting out there by myself on a weekend I was at the cabin alone, I would have been terrified... 

Yet, simply because I knew my friends were coming soon (no idea when because my phone wasn't working..) I was not afraid. 

This is a stretch, but may I have that same sense of peace in this temporary life here on earth, knowing that Jesus is coming back. This is not my permanent home. And everything will be OKAY! May I not live in fear during my short span here on earth.