Laser Focused

As I prepare my heart this morning for the exciting weekend ahead (the Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference), I am reminded of the importance of never forgetting what this life is all about...

Jesus Christ, and His amazing love story.

I know full well how easy it is to get caught up in life drama, fleshly desires and selfish ambitions. I know how hard it is to balance the gifts God has given us to use for Him with our drive and motivation to have personal success.

But let us never forget that Jesus always stands as the most important. The reason. The purpose. The goal. The One.

If He uses us, it's only because He's got enough grace to see past our flaws to our potential.

If He loves us, it's only because He's got an amazing capacity to be unconditional.

If He stays with us, it's only because it is in His character to be forever faithful.

As a young woman starting out in ministry, my friend, Lysa TerKeurst once said something very wise to me. "Don't let the compliments go to your head, and don't let the critiques go to your heart." It's one of the only quotes I've ever remembered that has had the same impact the second, third, fourth, tenth and 100th time I've recalled it. I admit, often those compliments and critiques can ring loudly in the ears and threaten one's focus -- in life, and especially, in ministry.

I share this quote with you today, fully convinced it is the only way to do life and ministry and not get distracted by both the hype that comes with it and the often bumpy road of becoming unpopular for it. The truth is, if we are not laser focused on the person of Jesus Christ, one of those two will, in the end, eat our emotional lunch.

The cause is way too important to lose any potential influencers over either one, either way.

So will you join with me in thinking only about Jesus today? In the midst of your striving...worrying...controlling... and managing...will you remember that He will work out your life much better than you could ever, in your wildest dreams, imagine?

There will be compliments and critiques along the way, my friends. But when we are laser focused on Jesus, our ears are way too deaf to hear them.

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus." (Col. 3:17)