It’s been a rough year full of lots of “stuff” hitting the proverbial fan. Some of the “stuff” we’ve faced is simply because we live in a sinful, broken world. Other challenges have come because of blatant spiritual opposition. Sport and being physically active is a happy space for our 17-year-old son. This year he’s been plagued with ongoing injuries that have prevented him from playing sport for long periods of time. This has been frustrating to, say the least.
Once a year our son’s school participates in a longstanding sports rivalry with a visiting school. The entire weekend is taken up with a multitude of sports and all scores are closely tracked. Our son was chuffed to have made the Hockey U19 Second team. Sadly he was in an orthopaedic boot and unable to compete that weekend. As parents we really felt for our son who should have been on the field with his team-mates. However, every time we glanced over to see our son on the school stands, he was cheering his heart out for his team. We seemed to be feeling his loss more deeply than he was.
The time had arrived for the much anticipated First Team hockey match. There was a hush in the crowd as the Bagpipe band walked onto the field enthusiastically heralding the sportsmen. A tunnel of honour was formed to welcome the team. The anticipation was palpable. The First Team arrived in their special kit and the crowds literally went wild. I felt heartsore. Our son was not only unable to play in his second team match, but the possibility of making first team now seemed to be an impossible dream. God chose this very moment of deafening cheering to speak quietly into my disappointed heart. He said, “Do you want the applause of people for your son? Or would you rather have your son being applauded by all of Heaven?” I missed the first part of the match, as I pondered and treasured these powerful words of truth in my heart.
When our son was young, I watched an enthusiastic hockey match where none of the little children held their position. Wherever the ball went, the entire team followed, sometimes even the goalie! From the sidelines, I heard the coach loudly shout, “Don’t chase the shiny thing!” I realised that’s exactly what it looked like – both teams were super focused on the ball, the shiny object that everyone was desperate to get to. Recently I’ve heard God say, “Don’t chase the shiny thing!” Every time I have felt saddened by missed opportunities, envious of others or feeling like I may have failed to reach my potential in ministry, I hear God say, “Don’t chase the shiny thing!” I instead need to fix my eyes on Jesus and what He’s called me to do. I need to be obedient, make those sacrifices, let those shiny things go and trust him. Easier said than done. But at least now, when I find myself going down paths of longing, envy and regret, I intentionally refocus my heart. I take my eye off the shiny thing and focus on the author and perfector of my faith – the One who is way more valuable than anything the world has to offer.
Lord Jesus, help me to trust you and to release those shiny things. Set me free to joyfully walk in faith and obedience with you because nothing else matters more than You.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18