Don’t Lose Sight!

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 NKJV

Today I caught sight of two very large birds in the sky. I am pretty sure they were vultures but I watched them anyway. I was trying to decide just where they were going or what possible carcass had drawn them near.

All the while I was watching them I saw waaaayy up in the sky a hawk flying far higher than those two. I almost missed it. The hawk had a white underbelly that nearly blended into the overcast sky.

pink bud 2 blsd what do you see   At that point I felt a gentle “nudge” from God. My message for today was “don’t lose sight.”   

I am very aware that I am easily distracted and pulled away from goals and priorities that are important to me. As we are soon to close out this first quarter of the year I was reflecting on what goals I’d met and those I need to give more attention.

I’m doing well on a few. But others have managed to slide by the wayside.

My “distractions” aren’t trivial. They are the same life issues that most people deal with.

Job. Family. Even self-doubt.

I’ve noticed that when we set our mind to carry out something productive or walk the path God sets before us there is always that “lion” waiting in the bush seeking to “steal, kill and destroy.”

Sometimes we can become so fixated on our personal “vultures and lions” that we forget to look up to God instead of concentrating on the chaos around us.

We can often become so distracted we forget what we are trying to accomplish in the first place!

And that is exactly what the enemy wants.   

Some distractions are so loud that we fail to hear God.

Others are blinding and we fail to see God.

I challenge you (and myself) to reexamine your goals and “resolutions” for 2015 and with a renewed spirit, go after them!         

Instead of worrying about what the vultures are doing I will look higher and seek God’s guidance for my next steps. I don’t believe God’s best for us is preoccupation with things that reek or are dead.

We do best when we set our minds on higher things, that we may fulfill our purpose and enjoy the blessings God would give us.

pink bud 3 blds 2015   God can renew us just as He brings the trees through winter into a fruitful spring.

Delay is not failure. We only fail when we give up.     

I trust God’s grace is sufficient for me to meet and even exceed my goals.         

What about you?  

Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:18-20 NKJV

By Lilka Finley Raphael

Author, Editor, Gardner, Photographer, Pharmacist

25 comments

  1. Sis, this was timely for me. After being away from the blogging for a few months, AND, listening to the Holy Spirit to tell me to get on with it, I needed to hear (read) this. It was actually confirmation that I WAS hearing from the Lord.
    It’s easy with the things life throws us to get distracted, to get tired, to question at times, but through it all HE truly does say, “don’t lose sight!”
    In my years of not just internet ministry, but “brick and mortar” ministry, there are times when He let’s us take a “sabbatical” or vacation, but a minister (servant) never retires until the Lord calls them home!!
    Thanks again Sis for such a great, timely and confirming message!
    God bless you abundantly!!

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    1. I am very grateful this post “spoke” to you. I’m ministering to myself first and foremost yet always blessed when these words convey God’s personal messages to others. Glad to hear you are heeding the prodding of the Spirit. Always so much better to get on with it given a gentle nudge instead of a swift kick 😉
      B Blessed get working!

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  2. How neat that you got to see the hawk soaring above the vultures. Even greater though, is the fact that you were open to God’s message for you. Reading this is helpful to me too. I am also easily distracted. Thank you!

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  7. Lilka, always lovely, and right on the money. Between vultures, lions ans squirrels, it’s often difficult to see, hear and be attentive to the One who always needs to be first in my focus.

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    1. Thank you very much for your kind words ma’am! Squirrels!? LOL They are the epitome of “can’t keep a focused thought” as they dart from side to side can’t decide and end up in the middle of the road! Eeewww…
      Thanks so much for stopping by today. Kind words to come home to after a long day 🙂

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  9. I had a really great insight as I was reading your words, it was this: how often are we focused on … oh look at that butterfly! Is that the first one I have seen this year … must be … well that must mean Spring is finally here with some sunshine and bright …

    What was I saying?

    🙂

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  10. Lilka, that first verse you used is the one that God keeps reminding me of every day right now! Thank you so much for confirming Him to me in this post! God bless you as you look unto Jesus!

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  13. Pingback: Don’t Lose Sight! | A Call to Witness

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