The Cost of Paying Attention

November 11, 2014

The Cost of Paying Attention

Last week’s yard raking brought on a much-needed life lesson for me.

My huge oak tree, affectionately named “The General,” sheds practically every leaf each fall and winter. At the base of this tall oak tree is a small dogwood tree. In the 13 years I’ve lived in my home, both the oak and dogwood have been there, coexisting sweetly in my front yard. I appreciate the oak’s shade and its majesty. I appreciate the dogwood’s beautiful white and bloodstain-tipped blossoms in the spring, right around Easter, reminding me of the blood sacrifice Jesus made for all of us.

Back to my story. So I was raking last week, just as I have raked for 13 years. I was soaking in the beautiful autumn blue sky, gentle breeze, crisp air. I looked down and saw a bright red berry in the grass. Where could a berry have come from in my front yard? I looked up and saw the dogwood. I squinted and noticed something different. Clusters of deep, red berries amidst the changing leaves of the dogwood! Beautiful. The sight was beautiful! Blood red berries, as deep as the red on the bloodstain-tipped blossoms in the spring. I was awestruck.

All these years, all these autumns. I missed it…until now. I paid attention. Grabbing my phone, I captured this photo.

How have I never noticed the autumn berries on my dogwoods before now?

Why have I never noticed? Why have I not paid more attention?

“Pay” attention. The verb we use before the word “attention” causes me to ponder. Pay. Like paying for an item in a store. There is a cost. There is value. There is sacrifice. Yes, I desire to pay more attention.

The Bible is full of passages about “paying” attention.

“Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach.” –Proverbs 22:17 NIV

As Lysa TerKeurst writes in The Best Yes, “Unrush me.”

Forgive me, Lord. Forgive the blinders of my eyes and heart. Forgive my hurried pace. Please help me pay more attention. Help me notice You, Lord. Help me pay attention to Your majesty, from the gorgeous full moon last week to the fresh morning dew in my front lawn to the bright red berries on my autumn dogwood leaves and branches. Beauty surrounds us if we look. Paying attention is worth the cost, Lord. I pray to experience life through Your lens and Your timing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflect:

–How would you rank your life’s pace? Please comment.

–What intentional act will you do to unrush yourself? How? Please comment.

Renew:

–“The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your GOD that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.” –Deuteronomy 28:13 NIV

–“My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight.” –Proverbs 5:1 NIV

–“You have seen many things, but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing.” –Isaiah 42:20 NIV

–“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. –Hebrews 2:1 NIV

–“And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” –2 Peter 1:19 NIV

Recharge:

–Please enjoy at least one unrushed moment with your spouse, child, loved one today.

–Savoring a few minutes of prayer and quiet devotional time in the Bible sets a more unrushed pace and peace for the day.

Resource:

–www.thebestyes.com

October 21, 2014

Finding Faith in the Fog, Post #53

My fingers white-knuckled the steering wheel as I slowly drove through the North Carolina mountains, cautious. It was nighttime, and the dense, smoky wall of fog enveloped the Blue Ridge Parkway. I had driven this stretch of road a hundred times, but never in this condition. My eyes strained to see past the hood of the car. No white lines could even be seen outlining the two-lane road.

My heart pounded. I prayed. “Lord, I know You’re here. I know You’re with me. What I know to be true on a clear, sunny day is just as true in this foggy, dark situation.”

As I finally drove into the driveway of my destination about 30 minutes later, my lungs finally exhaled. I felt like I held my breath the whole perilous drive through those mountains. My hands were still trembling as I tried to get the key into the front door.

Once inside, I fell to my knees with a prayer of thanksgiving. It was only then that I realized I had just lived a powerful message, a sermon. The foggier nights result in deeper faith.

Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the Bible’s “Hall of Faith.” I love reading all the different examples of extraordinary faith, from Abel and Abraham to Rahab the prostitute. It’s the last two verses of that Faith chapter, though, that make me ponder the most.

“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” –Hebrews 11:39-40 NIV84

So many times, we think we are promised the world. Pretty prideful thought, I’m ashamed to admit. It is only through our desperate dependence on Jesus Christ, that His better plan for us can be revealed. His better plan that can be made perfect ONLY when we work together with God.

Whatever circumstances you find yourself in today, know God is with you. The same God in the sunny, clear day is the same God in the foggy night. May we be encouraged to find and strengthen our faith in the fog and in the SON.

Reflect:

–What foggy night circumstances have you experienced lately? Please comment.

–How was your faith strengthened or weakened by it? Please comment.

Renew:

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” –Hebrews 11:1 NIV84

Recharge:

–Name three actions to demonstrate your faith you may live out in October and beyond.

–Please read your Bible daily to hear God’s voice and Truth in your life.

October 14, 2014

How to Make the Impossible Possible, Post #52

Sir Roger Bannister was the first man in the history of the world (or record keeping) to run a four-minute mile. It was said it couldn’t be done. He made the impossible possible.

On May 6, 1954, at Iffley Road Track in Oxford, Bannister broke the four-minute mile with a time of three minutes, 59.4 seconds. Bannister was 25 years old, and at the time was practicing as a junior doctor. After accomplishing this supposed impossible feat, Bannister’s record only lasted 46 days. Not even two months.Bannister went onto become a notable neurologist. Watch the incredible footage for yourself below in the video link in “Resources.”

What a man. What a dream. What a goal—a Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal (BHAG), as Jim Collins and Jerry Porras call it in their 1994 book Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies.

I would rather call it a Big, Holy, Audacious Goal (BHAG). So, dear friend, What is your BHAG, your biggest dream? What are your passions? What is hindering you from achieving your God-sized dreams? I wrestle with these questions.

A few years ago I started my life goal list, some would say a “Bucket List.” Included on my list was/still is to write and publish a book. Most of my life I have enjoyed writing. For 12 years, I have dreamt of writing and publishing a non-fiction book. So what did I do about it? I started a folder and would occasionally add handwritten sticky notes with a chapter outline, idea, or quote. The BHAG of writing a book and even thinking of getting it published became overwhelming. “Perhaps when I retire,” I pondered.

In December 2012, my heart was shattered and blindsided by a serious relationship breakup to a man I thought I’d marry. In the healing process, I cried out to God and asked what life lessons I could learn from this experience. The divine answer I received was: “Write. Write and speak for Me. I am your First Love.” You see, I idolized my future husband. It took a heartbreak to recalibrate my stubborn self and priorities back to putting God first.

In January 2013, Proverbs 31 ministries President Lysa TerKeurst wrote in a daily devotional that a typical non-fiction book contains about 60,000 words. She wrote that she usually makes a 12-chapter outline, and tries to write 5000 words per chapter. Suddenly after reading that practical devotional, the impossibility of my BHAG became possible.

This adventure led me the last two summers to the dynamic Proverbs 31 Ministries “She Speaks” Conference in Charlotte. It was such a delight to meet so many incredible writers and speakers and learn from them. Their passion for Jesus was contagious. Through their influence and the Holy Spirit’s leading, starting this little “Pure Inspiration” blog was also a leap of faith.

Only our precious sovereign Lord could know that attending the Proverbs 31 “She Speaks” Conference in 2013 would divinely lead me to the high calling as Proverbs 31 Ministries Executive Director of Donor Development. Words cannot express what a blessing it is to work for and serve God through such a Spirit-filled, dynamic ministry. It reminds me that there’s just enough Light for the step we’re on. As much as we plan, God’s plans are even bigger and better. He has BHAGs for each of us.

I look forward to learning from so many Godly leaders, especially Lysa TerKeurst, AND to continue writing and speaking for and about Jesus. Walking by faith in God makes the impossible possible.

Reflect:

What is/are your Big, Holy Audacious Goal(s)?
What keeps you from dreaming big?

Renew:

•“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith, I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” –Matthew 17:20 NIV84

•“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” –Luke 1:45 NIV84

Recharge:

•Add a deadline and a timeline to accomplishing your BHAG.

•List the first steps to accomplish your BHAG. Do your first step this week. You can do it! Please let me know what you decide to do.

Resources:

•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTp9ZgjZkNA

www.proverbs31.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Hairy_Audacious_Goal