Swimming Upstream

There are so many things in life to call for our attention. It often seems that it is much easier to focus on the things of urgency around us ... much easier than taking time to focus on God. It often requires a concentrated effort on our part to focus our minds and hearts on the things that matter the most.

Not that all these other things in our lives are harmful to us. Many of them, in fact, can be the very things that God has put into our lives for His purposes. But if we neglect connecting with God and pursuing Him above all else, we find ourselves losing His perspective, and eventually just going our own way.

I love how Francis Chan describes this in his book, Crazy Love.

"If life is a river, then pursuing Christ requires swimming upstream. When we stop swimming, or actively following Him, we automatically begin to be swept downstream."

"Or, to use another metaphor more familiar to city people, we are on a never-ending downward escalator. In order to grow, we have to turn around and sprint up the escalator, putting up with perturbed looks from everyone else who is gradually moving downward."

Lord, in a world where so many things call for my attention, please help me to make the effort to seek after the things of most importance first of all. The other things will fall into place when I seek You first. I want to hold onto You as You give me the strength to swim upstream.

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)