Everybody Loves The Circus?
I was going to take my kids to the circus, but I changed my mind. I know kids love the circus, but I started thinking. I was thinking about the smell. You know, the elephants, the stuffy tent, the crowded seats—smelly.
I thought about the cotton candy—tastes good, but so sticky! And it gets on everything—your hands, your clothes, in your hair. And afterward, you’ll spend weeks trying to get the last traces of it out of your car. No, for me, the circus is just not worth the trouble.
But for my kids? Now that’s a different story. For them, the circus is wonderful. They’re not thinking about the smell or the sticky mess. Their focus is on the fun and the laughs and the wonder of it all. So who’s right? Well, to be really honest, I think they are.
You see, if we only focus on the negatives, we’ll never enjoy anything. And that goes for most everything.
Think about your car. Remember when you first got it? You loved everything about it. Couldn’t wait to go for a drive. Kept it sparkling clean inside and out. But after a few years, a couple of nicks and scratches—there’s nothing to get excited about anymore.
How about your job? When you started, the sky was the limit! You couldn’t wait to get there! But now…you could think of a hundred reasons to show up late, or even to skip a day. Same probably goes for church: now that the newness has worn off, how excited are you to get there every time?
The point is this: when we only focus on the problems, we lose sight of God’s plan.
That’s what happened to Abraham. He had barely gotten to the Promised Land when news of a famine caused him to pack up and head for Egypt. He didn’t want to deal with the problems that came with the promise.
But listen, even God’s best for us in this very real, fallen world is going to come with some challenges. When we focus on the bad stuff—the smelly, sticky stuff—we miss the joy of trusting God and loving the life He intends for us. You think about that—I’m going to the circus…
Debbie
That is so true, pastor Bob! I have been dealing with just that very thing in my personal life. I am struggling with some drastic changes going on and forgetting that even though I don’t know what the future holds…I DO know Who holds the future! I’ve been concentrating on all the possibilities for things to go wrong and I almost missed the point…trusting God and loving the life He intends for us. And…enjoying the “now” moments, like our children do.
Felix
This message was right on time as we begin a new year. It was refreshing and inspiring for new christian aswell as some of the more tenure followers. I personally felt re-energized after listening to this message, and right after the service, I started thinking about those areas in my life that needed more attention (prayer, and willingness to follow God’s will in my life). We have truly been blessed by God to have Calvary Chapel here in Fort Lauderdale. Thank you for all that you do.
Tish
I’m going to live abroad and it’s so good to know I’ll be able to keep up with Calvary’s teachings. Congrats guys! The blog, the podcasting, the live services online, all these tools are used by the Lord to keep us going! Blessings!
Michelle
Wow. I was watching this sermon in the cafe with my daughter, and just was powerfully reminded that it IS all about attitude, and it made me think ho wmuch mine has changed, although there is still aways to go in a few areas. ( After all, Gos is NEVER through refining us ! ) I thought I was an optimist, but looking back, can see that even then, I stil held on tosome grudges, and did more complaining than I do now- though I DO have to give myself a lecture and try to nip it in the bud, if I start to gripe.
Prayer is a very powerful tool in changing that mindset, I have found, as I have noticed a difference in my behavior since July 2008, when I started coming to CCFL. God has helped me to be more at ease in the everyday goings-on. Yes, I get angry. Yes, I get tense. It doesn’t drag out lik e it used to, though, and I am not angry by nightfall anymore. That is just God’s hand in all that, pure and simple.
My sister is not a believer. She believes there IS a God, but is Jewish, and doesn’t believe in Christ. The language out of her mouth when she is driving makes me cringe !
Attitude, mindset- I see that change in my mother, and THAT is what finally convinced me to come to CCFLlast summer. I still have a ways to go, but seeing what changes God has made, it’s impossible for my attitude to NOT be better, and thankful. I appreciate things more than I did before, even though I wasn’t super materialistic. My attitude was the chip on my shoulder I was carrying.. Life is too short to be carrying so much anger and insecurity. In God’s plan, anyone that reaches out to Him can start feeling safer, happier, like I have started to feel…. WHen I pray now, I include more often than not, that it is not my will b e done, but for God to show me what He wants, because I have made a big mess of my life by myself. I need HIM to help get me on the right track and stay there…. As Greg Laurie wrote in one of his books, it’s finishing the spiritual race that matters, not where we were, but where we are going.
Kelly King Taormina
Everybody Loves Order and Tidiness??? right???
I’m the chick that walks into the room and immediately sees what is wrong, what’s out of place and I’ll help get it in order if need be. I’m a bit compulsive and I prefer things to be put into place.
So the message for me is to see what is right and to go a little blind to the wrongs in the room.
Oh as a realtor it is a powerful advantage when it comes to my listings but balance is needed or I’m going to go NUTS!
g
just thinking about this very thing this morning- is watching a tv show on my time off as “memorable” as taking my son fishing – wasting time I don’t have to spend on things that don’t matter is Dumb – thanks for the post need to redeem more of my time – Praying for you! – g