Distraction and My Frustration

A million distractions can keep us from what we want to do. This morning, I hurried toward the computer with a bright idea for a blog post here. Oops. Little brother occupied the computer chair, clicking busily away at a computerized puzzle. "Oh, Jake," I said, "I need the computer." He whined back at me. "Oh, Kate!" So I consented to let him finish his game, hoping that it wouldn't take too long. At that point, Emily, my sister who is approaching the 2 year old mark and still not potty trained, bounced up. My nose followed a unlovely scent to her diaper, and I knew for sure that I wasn't going to be at the computer in the next 5 minutes. Sighing, I set my Bible aside, and marched her into to her bedroom for immediate attention. It was an ordeal--a very stinky one at that.

Finally, after many thoughts, a thorough hand washing, and a frazzled mind, I sat down at the computer. Writing a blog post, right? Home>>click>>RegenerateOurCulture>>click>>Network>>click>>Agent Tim's. Okay, today is Tim's birthday. I mused over this and commented, all the while trying to remember what exactly I was going to blog about in the first place. Jacob walks up again, chewing what smells like a strawberry starburst, right next to my right ear. Emily runs into my Bible, which was protruding off the edge of my chair and she starts crying. I throw into her bed--gently that is.

Now, here I sit. Jacob is quietly drawing, Emily is cooing over her books in bed, and the house is silent (for a very short while I'm sure). I can even hear the computer buzzing! As I meditate here, I realize that I can never blame all my distractions on those around me. Here I am, being distracted from my original purpose by this little frustration post. What in the world am I doing writing this instead of that!?

But that's beside the point. I realized that what I wanted to do isn't so important anymore. God wanted me to serve my family this morning.

I'm not so (notice the so) frustrated anymore. I know I didn't get that post up on Scripture memory that I had so much motivation for only 1 hour ago. But I also know that what I want to do isn't always important in the long run. I'm reminded of Philippians 2: 3-8.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

I'm going to close with this passage. Christ is the greatest example of servant-hood. Next time feel frustrated by the distractions of the needs of those around me, I should remember this passage. Next time you want to write a blog post and get distracted by other's wants and needs, you should too. Face your distractions and frustrations with the mind of Christ--esteem the needs of those causing distractions (unless, it's yourself) better than your own needs. Aren't you glad Christ did?

--
(Kaitlin Atmore's advice to me when I started blogging-"Keep it short, no one likes to read long posts." I'm trying to do better. This post is about 25 words shorter than my last post--at least it was at one point.

Also, be sure to tell Tim and Matthew happy birthday too!
)

No, this blog is not dead!

Dear Reader,
I thought it might be beneficial to share with you my thoughts on blogging. Obviously, you may have guessed by now that my purpose in blogging here is not to hang a new post up every other day. In fact, some of you have wondered if I really have intentions of blogging at all. :P (No, this blog is not dead, nor have I gone elsewhere!)

When I first came on the idea of an inspirational blog a few years ago, I was enthralled with the idea. I imagined it would be extremely 'cool' and fascinating to actually keep up such a project. I admit, I'm sure I had visions of posting everyday, having over 60 hits a day, and being linked to all over the 'net.

Yes. My ideas in blogging have changed since then.

Always having frequent posts here at Pursuing the Mystery is not my goal. Shocking, isn't it?

I hope you know the purpose of Pursuing the Mystery-- that those who read it and we who author it, may be drawn closer to our Christ by it. Personally, I really don't think this mission will be accomplished if all we do is add another blog for you to constantly keep up with. (And all I do is worry about trying to post something for you to keep up with!) The last month in my life I have really been convicted about some things (often considered 'good things' even so!) that I was doing which not only took away time, energy and focus from my life on Christ, but was also taking away the likewise from my fellow Christians. As I work on eradicating such things, I don't want blogging to become just another such thing. May we (you and me both!) never --ever-- let this blog or any another blog come between us and our personal time alone with God and his Word. (And yes, this is the paragraph for parenthesis!)

You must know I want to use Pursuing the Mystery as a tool to share from my heart. I decided a while ago that I'm not going to just scramble up something to write, just for the sake of posting. Here, I desire to be real--even if I only post once a month. There you have it. It is my desire to be a blessing to my readers with posts, but I do not want to share words with you that are meaningless. That would be a waste of words and a tragedy at that!

The 'problem' with this is that I often find it isn't easy for me to transfer my heart full of real thoughts into real coherent words. Sometimes it takes me hours of typing at the keyboard before I am satisfied with the result of a single paragraph! I realize this means I'm probably lacking some skills in 'Writing 101' which will only be improved with practice. Truthfully though, I don't have time for me to daily spend hours pounding at the keyboard, arranging the words of my heart to make sense to you all. For one thing, my family gets irritated at me. For another thing, I get irritated at myself for ignoring my family for vast blocks of time. (This my friend, is not the servant hood I called to live toward them at this time of my life!)

Let me close before this gets atrociously long. My philosophy on blogging, if I may call it that, can be simply stated. I blog when:

1. I have something to say.
2. I can say it without neglecting my relationships with my family and my God.

To wrap up, I do intend to blog here. Sometimes it may be often; sometimes you may count many moons in between posts. Above all, to Christ be all glory!

Sincerely yours,
Katie Marie

Different Angle

Originally posted on Veronika's personal blog, this post has been slightly redone and reworded for clarity and readability. We hope you enjoy and are inspired! ~~Veronika and Katie Marie

Have you ever noticed how things look different when seen from a new perspective, a different angle? Situations you thought you knew all the details of are quickly changed, and you can’t make heads or tails of it.

I’m referring to close-up pictures. Remember those snapshots in childrens’ books that ask you to guess what the object is in real life? Erasers, a cup, wood shavings, items like that? Once, some friends and I took a digital camera and started taking random shots of objects in my house: lamps, baskets, suitcases, all sorts of things. Sadly, although we were familiar with all of the objects, figuring out what they were wasn’t very easy. We were very embarassed when – in our haste – we’d discover how the porcelain sink somehow looked exactly like that curtain from downstairs!

Too often, we do the same thing with the people crossing our path. How many times have you come to a conclusion, and then discovered – too late – that you were entirely wrong, and that the people involved were hurt? Admit it, it’s happened more often than you’d like to say, right?

There was once a very wise, knowledgeable man way back when who adressed this same issue. He left us some godly advice: “He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him…” (Prov. 18:13). Paraphrasing it, we could say: “He that makes assumptions before he knows all the details is a fool….” Solomon was warning us of the simple foolishness and danger in letting assumptions get in the way of our relationships; too many have been ripped apart because of such assumptions. Sometimes, scars are never healed and friends are lost forever, all because those involved never took the time to look at the “picture” from the other person’s perspective.

Like the snapshots, it sometimes doesn’t make sense when a person reacts completely different from the way we expect, We can’t understand their motivations and decisions… that is, until we turn the picture around and look at it from a different angle. In doing so, we give them the benefit of the doubt, which often saves the relationship as well. Don’t “answer a matter before you hear (or see) it”!

So next time you’re ready to get angry at someone, stop and think! Put yourself in their shoes, and look from their perspective. Doing so will remind you that they’re human too. The way their life has been shaped makes them think and say things different, even contrary, to how you may think. Remember how our Lord would have treated them: with patience, love and courtesy. We are all formed from the dust, thus, we are all capable of making errors in judgement. Be understanding and forgiving in your response, and you will save yourself and your friends much pain.

Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

The beautiful haunting melody of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel has always captivated me. This year however, I have not only listened to the melody of this beloved carol; I have begun to listen more closely to the text of this song. In particular, the single word of ‘Emmanuel’ has captured my interest and drawn my intrigue. Opening God’s Word to Matthew, I’ve rediscovered the meaning of the name ‘Emmanuel.' Let me share it with you:

Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Emmanuel—God with us.

Here, in the meaning of Emmanuel, we find the truth that’s the very basis of our Christmas celebration. Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, is God with us. Jesus, the baby born 2000 years ago, wasn’t born merely as a great prophet or a radical teacher. Jesus came as God in flesh. Jesus came as God, to reconcile us to Himself.

Looking back a few verses in Matthew we find verse 21:

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save his people from their sins.

He shall save his people from their sins.

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free
thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
from depths of hell thy people save,
and give them victory over the grave.

Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. Emmanuel has come! The Son of God has appeared. He came to deliver us from bondage—and because of Him, we have victory. Let us rejoice!

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Merry Christmas! May your days be blessed as you rejoice in the coming of Emmanuel!

*The author of the words and composer to the music of O Come, O Come Emmanuel is unknown. This carol was a Latin text from the 12th Century.

A Personal Psalm

To every child of God who feels that Life is sometimes too great a challenge: May you find God's peace to be all that you need.

Even when I feel too drained and mentally exhausted to tackle one more thing, my Father is still there beside me, holding my hand and showing His mercy. I can't feel Him, I can't see Him, but I know He is there, helping me get through another day.

I feel so bewildered, not wanting or caring about anything in the world right now. I don't want anything to happen today; I don't even want to do anything today, except find comfort for my downtrodden soul. Where can I find that comfort, that peace that my heart so desperately needs?

Turning to the Word of God, I find my Heavenly Father. He knows my frame...He remembers I am but dust. He knows my sorrows and fears, my discomforts and my unfulfilled dreams; He knows how I can best please Him, and how to reveal His ways to me. He knows every hair on my head, every beat of my heart; He can and will lead me to the Farther Shore. How can I find anything but comfort in His presence?

Oh Lord, help me to place my hope and trust in You; be my confidence and my steadfast aid, my shield, and the one in whom I delight. Show me Your unquencheable love; grant me Your peace which does surpass all understanding. Bestow it to all of Your children who need Your comfort this day. Show us Your loving kindness, and renew our hearts in love to You. Be our precious Shepherd, and lead us by Your grace to Your kingdom. Amen

Christ is My Extraordinary!

Lord, do not let my eyes fall to the earth! Keep my gaze lifted up, past the men who taunt and intimidate me, past the fleeting moments of this earth, straight ahead to You in all Your glory and majesty. -Jennifer's Musings

Jennifer's post, over at Jennifer's Musings, blessed me in an incredible way this week. I encourage you to read the post in its entirety.

I find within myself a desire and quest to lay claim to my own bit of brilliance or talent. I am intimidated and wearied when I find such a lack of any such greatness in myself. However, Jennifer's post helped me step back and lift my eyes away from self. In view of Christ and His majesty, my own extraordinary, or lack of, becomes as dust. The miracle of Christ cleansing my heart, dwelling inside of me, and being my God, is more extraordinary than anything I could every perform or be. Christ is my extraordinary!

Thank you, Jennifer, the encouraging post. Thank you, God, for Christ.

The Battle Against Apathy

Isn’t it funny how one of the biggest battles we find within our hearts is the war against apathy? I mean, why do we let apathy remain so persistent in the battle? Why do we fight so hard to prevent apathy from dying? Rather ironic, isn’t it?

Apathy is definitely not apathetic in its nature. In truth, my own heart finds it quite the opposite. The roots of apathy dig down deep and will not let go. Spreading like a loathsome disease, this persistent weed winds its tough strands of poison around every facet of my heart and life. I am almost persuaded to give up the fight. Or just switch sides—I could just fight for apathy to win instead. Surely life would be easier then. A short battle would ensue, apathy would triumph, and the struggle would be over. Life would be in a lull. How tempting it would be to shout to Apathy, “You win!” so that I could sit back and dismiss the battle.

But, no. That would not be right. These thoughts are ridiculous. A Christian’s calling is to pursue righteousness with passion and perseverance. Letting apathy reign in our hearts is a sin. In this battle of my heart, it will not do to let apathy have the upper hand.

But where is the encouragement to continue the fight? I am weak, and my strength to fight for passion is failing. Where shall I look for help? May I never forget the exhortation found in Hebrews 12.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (vs. 1-3)

Though the battle against apathy rages in a complex manner that I don’t understand, I will not give up. Christ fought the battle even more intensely than I am fighting, and yet He overcame. By His strength only, will I do the same. The sin of apathy, so easily besetting me, must be laid aside, no matter the cost. Apathy is not option!