Refocusing Our Lenses

At the start of a new year, our culture takes to self-reflection and betterment.  Resolutions to lose weight, read more, have new relationships take a sudden prominence in our life.  And yet, ask anyone who is a consistent member at a gym- February hits, and the busy rush of newbies that had flooded the gym has dwindled away.  It isn't until it's beach season that there is a re-focus on getting in shape.

Brady and I at the beach this summer... beach bod...get it?

Early today, I heard a message on WMBI (Moody Bible Institute's radio network) by Ravi Zacharias (who has a really cool story if you have time to read it) that illustrated so clearly the importance of keeping our focus on God's will for our lives.  Using King Saul as an example, he showed how Israel's first (and Zachrias says could've been arguably their best) king allowed his humanity to overcome his desire to follow God.  There were moments of re-focusing where Samuel helped Saul see the err of his ways, but he ultimately died the way he had lived- for (and by) himself.

Brady has been a true re-focusing for Brad and I.  The providence of God in my pregnancy and in our life since Brady's birth has been immense, beyond what we could have even imagined... The way that Brady is already exceeding expectations the world has set for him... Our recognition of our limited abilities to do this parenting thing- we're responsible for a human life! What?!  We sure couldn't do this without the human and spiritual support God places in our lives.

Because of all of these (and many more, believe me!) realities in our lives, we have felt called to adjust the lens with which we see the world, and see not through eyes that serve two masters, but ones that are continuously humbled and seeking how to serve God.  Not just saying that we are followers of Christ, but actually living it.  As Christ said in the Sermon on the Mount, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other." (Matt. 6:24a) We cannot keep seeking validation for our lives in the way that the world sees us, because we now see our lives through a re-focused lens- one that is on God.

It's amazing how Brady keeps changing our lives, and we can't wait to see how else it keeps evolving!

Happy New Year!