Focused, Uncluttered, Forgiven

"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Proverbs 28:13 (NIV)

It was right in front of me.                                               

A snake.

Okay, so it was only about 2 inches long. I had to look closely to confirm that it was a snake, not a worm.

Now, the verification of my dislike for snakes is demonstrated in the fact that I could not post a photo of the real thing. In fact, my search for an image to include still has my muscles tied in knots and my face all squinched up.

My point being that even baby snakes make me cringe...and shudder...and ponder staying inside...forever.

I want it to be that way with my sin.

(Well, not the part about staying inside forever.)

I want it to make me cringe and shudder and run!

This week my posts have been based on Hebrews 12:1-2, keeping our focus on Jesus, throwing off everything that hinders, all the clutter...including the sin that so easily entangles.

And that means even the "baby snake" sins...the ones that can escape unnoticed. You know, the gossip that sneaks its way into conversation, the critical spirit that slithers in and kills the joy, the little white lie that slinks right out of your mouth, the ungrateful attitude that wraps itself around your thoughts and squeezes the life out of words of thanksgiving, the bitterness and unforgiveness that stays coiled in the den of our hearts.

Oh may God slay every unwholesome thought before it enters the garden of my mind. I pray that He takes His heavenly hoe and chops off its head before it emerges into my actions.

And when I fail,  may I be quick to confess and renounce...and find mercy.

Monday Meditation~Focused

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the [author] and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)

Sometimes it feels like rather than being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, we are engulfed by the winds of noise and confusion, chaos and distraction. In the clamor of our generation, with media hijacking our thoughts, schedules drowning our time, and stresses weighing us down, our peace is often compromised. And our walk is hindered. The finish line obscured.

Then there's that sin that so easily entangles and trips us up.

We must be intentional in maintaining our focus.

It is essential that we fix our eyes on Jesus, not on man, not on this world.

He understands completely the struggles we face, the ties that keep us bound, the temptations luring our hearts to stray.

And He endured the cross, because of love that knows no bounds. To release the waters of forgiveness. To set the captives free. To give us a hope.

Jesus is the author and creator...and the perfecter and finisher of our faith.

We just have to keep our focus. Fix our eyes on Him.

Lord, help us. In a world that beckons us to keep our eyes on our circumstances, on the world around us, empower us to turn our focus toward You. Increase our faith. Empower us to run the race You marked out for us with perseverance, remembering the joy that awaits us because of Your love and sacrifice. We love You.