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.
