Does it Matter?

John 21:20-22 (NKJV)
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”
21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?  You follow Me.”
 
Peter asked Jesus how the apostle John would die.  Jesus replied that Peter shouldn’t concern himself with that by comparing himself with John.  Many times we have a tendency to compare our lives to others, sometimes to rationalize our own level of devotion to Christ or even to question God’s justice.  But whatever the case, Jesus responds to us as he did to Peter: “What is that to you?  You follow Me.”

Don’t worry about what everybody else is doing.  Instead, focus on what God has called you to do.  The phrase, “You follow Me,” includes doing what God has called you to do instead of judging, criticizing, or comparing what everybody else is doing.  Doing what God has called you to do is a success principle in the Kingdom of God.

Because we are "...fearfully and wonderfully made..." Psalm 139:141, there is a uniqueness to each of us. The only concern we should have is what God wants from us! Are we fulfilling our potential from God? Is the track we are on ours?

If we focus on us, we can improve our lives. Doing this would free us from a lot of stress! Go ahead, focus on you for a change!

Blessings,
Dr. Tim

THREE RINGS AND A RINGMASTER!

I took my grandson to the circus a few days ago. A fun time was had by all!

While I was watching the circus, I was reminded of how our lives are similar to the circus. So many things going on at the same time, that we have a hard time focusing on just one of them. Watching this one, watching that one, and of course, watching the other one! All at once!

Trying to keep up with it all is so tiring. Not to mention, that when you try to focus on just one of the acts, the others do something so fantastic that you miss it! All the while, a Ring Master is talking and trying to guide your attention to a specific spot!

As I counsel so many people, I find that their lives are spinning out of control because they can't focus on what needs to be done. Their emotions are being tossed to and fro because they are pulled in so many directions. Just as they are getting settled on at least one of the issues, a "Ring Master" starts talking and directing their attention to another area, causing them to miss the spectacular!

I decided to just find the ring of activities that grabbed my attention first! I would watch that ring for the whole performance with only a quick casual glance to the other rings! This allowed me to not only enjoy the show, but it gave me the opportunity to allow others to share with me what they saw. None of us watched the same ring of activities!

Remember, our lives need to be focused on our abilities and our passions. We can reduce the stresses in our life by not worrying about all that is going on around us. When that obnoxious "Ring Master" begins to speak, and tries to direct your attention away from your focus, just remember that there will always be something going on... all the time... somewhere! Just keep watching your ring of activity!

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the Greatest Show On Earth!" That show is LIFE!