Focus
By Tracy Smith
“Before I shaped you
in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy
plans for you: A prophet to the nations - - that's what I had in mind for
you."
Jeremiah 1:5 (MSG)
It
is so easy, as women, to have our focus in the wrong direction. The world
bombards us with images of all we should or shouldn’t be, and many times the
messages oppose each other. It’s impossible to figure out which message to
listen to, and more impossible to live up to the expectations. Then we see that
woman that has what we want. Jealousy sets in and we think, “I want to be like her.”
I cannot tell you the number of times I wished I was the more “prim and
proper” sort who did more listening than talking and when she did talk, used a
quiet, reserved voice. Those who know me are chuckling as they try to imagine that scenario
- - it’s just not me.
While
reading the magazine Just Between Us,
I came across a couple of truths that I have been unable to get out of my mind.
“Getting a New View of You,” was an interview with Andrea Stephens, founder of
a ministry called B.A.B.E.™ that reaches out to “teen girls to help them see
themselves as God sees them - - beautiful, accepted, blessed and eternally
significant. She teaches them they are created on purpose and for a pur-pose.”1
Wait
a minute - - God created me the way I am -- loud talking, not prim and proper
personality and all? I’ve been learning this lesson slowly over the past five
years as God has been using various people and events to show me that He
created me a certain way for a reason, and that I should embrace that and thank
Him for it.
Then,
Andrea was asked:
“JBU: It
is so easy to compare ourselves with other women. How do we keep from being
envious of others?
Andrea: It takes
concerted effort. Someone else’s looks, talents, or personality is not better
or worse than ours - - just different. When we start thinking we wish we had
someone else’s thick hair or winsome ways or ability to be organized, that is
the time to stop and thank God for giving those things to her. Then ask Him to
bless her. This helps guard our heart from jealousy.” (1)
Wow!
That just spoke to me and is something I have not heard before. In order to not
be jealous, pray for the person and
thank God for giving her those things and ask God to bless her. Amazing
insight!
Taking
the focus off of ourselves and putting it onto God and what He has done for
someone else is a wonderful concept I cannot wait to try!
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
If there is someone you know whom you have jealous feelings toward, will you
take the time to do what Andrea suggests and pray for her?
2. Think about something you do not like about
yourself and think about how God could use that for Him.
FURTHER
READING:
(1)
Fink, Constance B. “Getting a New View of You.” Just Between Us Summer 2012: 18-21. Print
Along
with being a wife and mother to two boys, Tracy is an administrative assistant
at Oakwood, serves on the Women’s Ministry Special Events Team and leads a
great group of Junior High girls.
