My name is Rob and I am the main idea. It feels wrong to write, but it’s how I live. I far too often live like I’m the center of every one’s attention. When I get angry it’s not a righteous anger because there are wrongs in this world. It’s because I didn’t get my way. I spend most of my time thinking about things that affect me. I make decisions based off what is best for me. The crazy thing is that I’m not alone. Most people I know live like they are the main idea.
It’s Christmas Day. As a Christ Follower this day should be a reminder about who really is the main idea. God sent His one and only son to be born. He was born in a stinking manger. The Holiday Inn had no vacancy. There was no fan fair or parade. He didn’t throw a press conference letting the world know that Jesus was taking his talents to Bethlehem. He simply sent His son to be born…born to die.
In the Old Testament people always wanted to know God’s name. It was a way to feel control over the god that you served. All the other countries had names for their gods. It makes sense that when God appears to Moses, Moses asks what His name is. God responds with I Am.
He won’t fight to be the center of attention. He allows us to pretend to be the center of the world. I may act like I am the main idea, but when I do it’s showing that I’ve lost sight of I Am. I Am is the main idea.
This Christmas the food may not turn out right. You may not get what you asked for. Your relatives will drive you crazy. Traffic will be like a swift kick to the family jewels. We can get upset and put our focus on ourselves, or we can remember what it’s really all about. I Am is the main idea. Let’s give our attention where it’s due.
What’s one thing that takes your attention away from I AM?
This one was easy for me! People pleaser! I frequently worry more about pleasing other people than anything else. This may seem selfless on the surface but in the ugly depths of my heart it is soooo selfish! Ultimately I AM pleasing people so that I will be elevated in their eyes! Wrong person elevated! Great post! Great reminder for me that it’s not about me! Merry Christmas! Enjoy rest and family today!
Today it will hard to allow that since I am preaching and will try to focus the attention on Him. Because of family coming and going, we opened gifts last night. I was pleased that no one went overboard for me. A couple gift cards (yeah!) and some Jovan Musk. Today it is all about Him. Except when I entered my Daily Mile I found out i was 12 miles short of riding 100 miles this week. It has been at least 2 month since that happened (weather changing). I may take my focus off Him for a short ride today. 🙂
Wow. Too many distractions. Fiancee in Afghanistan, house that’s been on the market for two years, bills I can’t pay. All trying to steal my joy and distract me from I AM. Fighting and praying to overcome everyday.
The past and my failures and regrets overwhelm me and I focus on myself. A constant struggle to be sure. But the first step to improving for me is that I indeed recognize this is an issue and am working on it. It will likely take the rest of my days, and I likely will only make a little bit of progress, but I will keep at it. Blessings to you and M and the dynamic duo (i.e. the twins). Merry Christmas my friend.
I think one of the things that takes my focus is the hustle and busses of the season.
This one was easy, my family.
The normal everyday stuff tends to push its way into the foreground and demand my attention. I take breaks throughout my days to just stop, take stock, and re-focus. I might read the webnotes from church, read a bible verse or several, sing a song of praise, or (as I am doing now) read this blog.
Thanks for being one of my spiritual breaks in a day, Rob. Merry Christmas to you, Monica, Hayden, and Reese.
Randal, thank you and please thank your family for the card and gift card. You guys are very thoughtful and you spent way too much money! Thank you! You know I love Chipotle!
I too tend to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everything going on today. Thanks for reminding us of Who is important. Sometimes it is even harder on Christmas to keep our focus on Him than other days of the year since there is usually so much going on.
Merry Christmas and may God continue to bless you and your family.
First of all, I can’t believe that I missed this yesterday. To answer your question, almost everything I’m interested in.
Life takes my attention away from God. I end up having too much stuff and I don’t often make time for God in some instances.
I hadn’t gotten the time to post this the other day so that just proves my point. Irony much?
read a bible verse or several, sing a song of praise, or (as I am doing now) read this blog.