Where is your focus?

Hasn't it been an interesting time in the elections in the United States recently, with an aftermath of protests and even riots in some areas. The candidates themselves seemed to have some fairly obvious character flaws, yet both aroused passion in their followers. Thus bringing about the subsequent events and a divided nation. This weeks author John Woolman (1720-17772) was a Quaker  from pre-independence America. He would not recognise his country to today for so many reasons.

John's life was devoted to living a life with the True Shepherd. A life based on Christian principles moderated by the Holy Spirit. This was his key focus where is God and what is he saying in this situation. He gave up what we would probably see as opportunities to better himself  financially to align himself with what God would have him do. For me this is a remarkable thing in any age, but would seem to be a marvel in our current social climate. In our country where political correctness is rampant and we spend so much time not wanting to appear offensive in way. I wonder if we have we lost some of the strength of the Christian message?

John put it like this:
"Our standard value is the way things affect us. Each of us takes our place in the centre of our world. But I am not the centre of the world, or the standard of reference between good and bad. I am not, but God is."

There are so many of us that though we profess Christ we are still at the centre of our world not God. We are not truly following the true shepherd we are shepherding ourselves. Which is why to the world doesn't seem to see that there is any major difference between the church and themselves. It takes time and courage to step away from the consumerist mentally that seems have gripped the western church on Sundays as well as every other day of the week. When we learn to fear God as much as we love him and his grace, we may overcome the fear of man that so blights the modern church.

So where is your first focus on God, yourself or the opinions of others. If you are like me it is a question worth asking on a fairly frequent basis until change develops.

As John the Baptist said "I must grow less so he can grow more."