I like to swim.
Waterproof earphones (my faves are Shockz Openswim) allow me to bounce back and forth in the pool and listen to the Bible as I breaststroke. Yesterday, Paul was in Athens, debating the ‘Unknown God’ with the locals.
One line stood out to me:
“(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)” (Acts 17:21 KJV)
It reminded me so much of a modern malady: chasing new and shiny, instead of doubling down on the fundamentals.
The quick and easy culture, with its fat promises and feeble delivery on those promises, keeps folks rounding the same mountains over and again.
A harried and hurried audience looking for a hack rather than accepting reality.
Growth and wisdom take work.
I love this verse from Jeremiah, a stark reminder that some things do not change:
“Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;” (Jeremiah 18:15 KJV)
Be careful not to be caught in the dazzle and vanity of empty opportunities. Yes, there are many great paths you could explore, but should you? That’s the question. This is a great opportunity, but is it a great opportunity for me?
Focussed attention in one direction over time will always yield more and better fruit than fitful flitting from one thing to another.
F.O.C.U.S.
F ollow
O ne
C ourse
U ntil
S uccessful
Root your reasons for being and doing in Christ, and follow the deep convictions of your heart.
For me, that is words.
The Holy Ghost has consistently brought me back to this foundation. The course He causes you to pursue may be different, but stay true and follow hard after His leading. Put blinkers on, and don’t fall into the Athenian trap of chasing something new with every sunrise.
In a world that skims the surface, going deep delivers dividends. Pulling from the depths is a dying art. Let’s be a people who speak and minister from the heart.
