Author: TomNorvell

 

Vol. 16 No. 09 | March 4, 2013

The week leading up to and including my 60th birthday was filled with sharing memories, eating my favorite foods, receiving cards, gifts, and messages from friends and family, and some times of deep reflection on where I have been and where I am going. The time has been well spent and the good wishes have been appreciated. (By the way, it was March 1 for those who need to know and forgot to send a gift. It is not too late. I am still accepting.)

One question that has been asked numerous times is: “Well, how does it feel to be 60?” My typical answer has been: “A lot like 59.” Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in reality it is no different. And yet it is. Six decades. Sounds like a long time, seems like a long time, yet it also seems very brief. As one Facebook friend stated, “It seems like I just wished you a happy birthday.”

Part of the reason this birthday seems different is that in my mind 60 years implies some level of wisdom. From my perspective I have always looked at men and women who were 60 and above with at least some degree of respect. My reasoning being if they have lived this long they surely have learned something, so I can learn something from them. Obviously that is not always true. Some appear to have lived their sixty-plus years and managed to bypass the accumulation of wisdom.

So, as the day approached and passed I continued to look for that wisdom that I could pass along to those coming behind me (and maybe even some of those who are ahead of me), that would make their journey easier and more enjoyable.

The insight came during a commercial break of a recorded program of the one called the greatest golfer of all time, and is narrated by another of golf’s greatest. You can see the commercial by going to this link: Swing Your Swing.

Swing your swing. That is it. Arnold Palmer and Dick’s Sporting Goods said it well.

Swing your swing. Live your life. Live the life you have been given. Not the life you wish you had. Or the life you think you should live. Live the life you have been given. Use your talents. Do what you were created to do.

Long before the commercial, the company, golf and any of the great golfers, God used his servant Paul to live the message of being who you were created to be, then offer these instructions on how to function well within the body:

But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.(1 Corinthians 12:18, NIV)Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:27, NIV)

So, my bit of wisdom to you is this: Swing your swing. Be you. God created you to be you. Learn from other people. Glean from the experience and wisdom of those who have gone before you. But be you.

If you are a teacher, teach the way you teach. If you are a singer, sing with your voice and your music. If you are an athlete, play your game your way. If you are a preacher, preach the message God is giving you and share the message the way God has equipped you to share it.

Although God has placed, and will place, very gifted and talented people in your life and along your path do not try to be them. Some of those you respected may even try to push you into their mold, or shape you into someone they admire and respect. Resist the pressure. Swing your swing. Play your way. Live your life. Use your talents. Develop your gifts. Follow God your way. Swing your swing.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

 

Vol. 16 No. 08 | February 25, 2013

I suspect there are some reading these words might take exception to the title: We Do Not Lose Heart. You do not mean to lose heart. You do not want to lose heart. You know that you should not lose heart. But, you are. You are losing heart…or at least you feel like you may be losing heart.

You have dreams that seem to be fading. You think about opportunities that have passed by, or never came. You see obstacles that are too big and too powerful to overcome. You are faced with problems that seem to have no solution. You feel the pressure, you are perplexed, you feel you are being attacked on every side and from the most surprising people, and are afraid that if you are knocked down one more time you make not be able to get back up. You feel weak, tired, and defeated.

What are you going to do? What can you do?

Start here. Read what Paul wrote,

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-12, NIV84)

Does that sound like you? At least the “hard pressed, perplexed, in despair, persecuted, abandoned, and struck down” parts sounds familiar. The other things? Not so much right now.

Read what he wrote at the end of the chapter,

“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. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV84)

Feel any better? Does it help to know you are not alone in your struggles? Do you find any comfort in hearing that others have experienced the same difficulties? Maybe? Maybe not? I know. I have been there.

Before you quit take a deep breath. Before you slump off into depression and hopelessness because you still cannot figure out how to fix all the stuff that is wrong in your world read this third paragraph that fits between the other two. This is where Paul reveals the reason he does not lose heart.

He wrote,

“It is written: ‘I believed; therefore I have spoken.’ With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:13-15, NIV84)

Did you see it? It is right there in the middle of the paragraph. One sentence:“…because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.”

That is the secret. That is the key. That is what can keep us from losing heart. Look up. Look at Jesus. Rely on the fact that He will raise us up. Our struggles show that the Gospel is at work in us. Our difficulties will be turned into His glory. There is a lot we cannot see if we stay focused only on what we can see. This is temporary stuff. We are about the eternal.

I pray that through our faith in Jesus Christ who will raise us up we will not lose heart.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 07

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV84)

It has been a long full week. Pressures at work have been even more intense than usual. Deadlines are getting closer. Conversations are getting more strained. Because of the pressures at work your home life is suffering. It is time to rest.

The weekend was great! Traveled for hours for a time of spiritual refreshment. The schedule was full. The emotions were all over the place. You were refreshed, revived and restored. And your energy was depleted. It is time to rest.

Your vacation was the vacation of your dreams. You did everything you had dreamed of doing. You went everywhere you had ever hoped to go. You saw things up close that you had only seen in photographs. Now it is over. Now it is time to rest.

You have not had a day away from the children in weeks. You and your husband have not had a real date in months. You are tired. You are frazzled. You are on the brink. It is time to rest.

You have studied for the test for months. You have not taken a break in days. You keep thinking once you get beyond the test you take some time off, but it seems like an eternity away. It is time to rest.

We push. We shove. We put stress on ourselves. We feel pressure from others. We deal with it. We don’t deal with it. We ignore it. We try to pretend that it does not exist. It does.

We talk about rest. We think about rest. We talk about how must we need to rest. We talk about how difficult it is to find time to rest. We talk about the consequences of not taking time to rest.

Jesus’ words are an invitation that we need to heed. The words are more than just nice sounding words. The words are a promise that that there is a better way. The words promise that with God’s help life can be lived at a different pace, a better pace, an easier pace, and a healthier pace.

The words are good words and wise words. But unless we hear and heed the words they will always be just words. Jesus invites us to rest. Jesus is inviting you to rest. Is it time for rest for your soul?

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2013. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

 

Vol. 16 No. 06 | February 11, 2013

“The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for your area.” Those were the words from the computerized voice awakening me from a peaceful sleep at about 2:30 a.m. I listened. Checked the time. Got up to see what was happening. As I stepped out onto the front porch there was an eerie quiet with only the sound of storm warning horns in the distance. Although not usually unnerved by weather events, this one seemed different so I turned on the television tuned to the local station to see their weather screen lit up with severe storms moving across the area. Within in minutes the forecaster pinpointed an area not far to the east of us and issued this statement: “If you live in this area it is time for you to get to your safe place.”

Sure enough the morning light revealed significant damage had been done by a number of tornados that had moved through the area and touched down in a number of places. Along with one life lost, trees were twisted and tossed like toothpicks. The roofs of homes and businesses were torn off and tossed aside.

(As I write this, storms are beginning to move again through our area with similar concerns, and thousands in the Northeast are without power due to the latest snow storm, and thousands more are still without power or homeless because of another storm 100 days ago.)

When I hear the exhortation from the weather person to, “Get to your safe place!” I am reminded of other times in my life when I have received similar encouragement. Like when the nurse said, “You need to get to our office NOW!” And when the doctor said, “You need to have the surgery as soon as possible.” And another said, “You need to go to bed and stay for a while.” There is wisdom in hearing and heeding the warnings from doctors, nurses, and weather forecasters when they tell you get to your safe place.

There is even greater wisdom in knowing that we have a spiritual safe place where we can always go when the storm is raging, or when life is calm. God is our safe place. Consider these words from Scripture:

2 Samuel 22:2-4 (NIV84)
He said: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—
from violent men you save me.
I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.Psalm 18:1-3 (NIV84)
I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.

Psalm 62:6-8 (NIV84)
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge. Selah

Psalm 91:1-3 (NIV84)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

Psalm 144:1-3 (NIV84)
Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.
O Lord, what is man that you care for him,
the son of man that you think of him?

Do you have a safe place? When the storms of life are raging, He is a safe place. When the weather is really bad the forecasters may say, “Do not hesitate. Now is the time to get to your safe place.” In life, the urgency is even greater. “Do not hesitate. Go to your safe place now.” He is there. You will be safe.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

 

Vol. 16 No. 05 | February 4, 2013

When weare added to the body of Christ we become recipients of certain and immediate blessings. Kingdom life is the best life. One such blessing is the immediate formation of relationships with other members of the Body. In a section from Paul’s letter to the Romans consisting mostly of instructions on how to develop and

maintain those relationships we find these words: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15, NIV84)

If you have been in the Body for any length of time there is a strong possibility that you have enjoyed not only being the giver of this blessing, but also being the recipient of the blessing.

As members of God’s body we rejoice with those who rejoice.

When a friend’s son graduates from high school we rejoice with them.

When a friend’s daughter is crowned homecoming queen we rejoice with them.

When a friend gets a promotion we rejoice with them even when we really hoped we would get that promotion.

When a brother wins an award we rejoice with them.

When a sister is recognized for her hard work and contributions to her profession we rejoice with her.

When our son and his wife have a child our brothers and sisters rejoice with us.

When our daughter gets married our brothers and sisters rejoice with us.

When a new sister is added to the body we rejoice with her.

When our friends celebrate another wedding anniversary we
rejoice with them.

When a friend goes home to be with the Lord we rejoice with them.

As members of God’s body we mourn with those who mourn.

When a friend loses his job we mourn with them.

When a friend has an automobile accident we mourn with them.

When a sister has a miscarriage we mourn with her.

When a brother gets so depressed that he wants to end his life we mourn with him.

When a friend tells us his wife has moved out we mourn with him.

When a friend shares that she has learned that her husband has had an affair we mourn with her.

When a couple we have loved for decades inform us that they are getting a divorce we mourn with them.

When a friend confesses an addiction we mourn with them.

When a friend reveals they were abused as a child we mourn with them.

When a friend admits they cannot let go of the hatred we mourn with them.

When a friend who has walked beside you in faith for years tells you he is struggling to hang on we mourn with them.

When God created us He knew there would be times when we would need someone to hear the cries of our heart and the fears of our soul, so He designed His living Body to meet those needs. When God created us He knew there would be times when our hearts would be filled with so much joy that we could not contain, so He designed His living Body so that together we can share the joy of our salvation.

Let us rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. And let us always remember how blessed we are that have those who rejoice with us when we rejoice and mourn with us when we mourn.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

 

Vol. 16 No. 04 | January 28, 2013

In Luke 4 Jesus announces the coming of the Kingdom of God:

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:14-19, NIV1984)

In Luke 5 He had this conversation with the Pharisees:

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:30-32, NIV1984)

The message seems clear. The Kingdom of God is about unhealthy people accepting God’s healing and turning around and helping other unhealthy people do the same thing. Sick people getting help, then helping other sick people.

How does that work?

It starts with the realization that at one time we were all helpless and hopeless (Romans 5) and without hope. In that condition we were far from God, foreigners, and weak.

As we accepted that truth we are all saved by grace the grace of God (Ephesians 2). By God’s grace we have moved from being foreigners to being brought close. We were aliens in a foreign land, and then brought near to God. Being saved we are brought into the body as new creations to do good works that God has prepared ahead of time for us to do.

Part of doing those good works involves moving out from our sickness, and leaving our limitations behind, relying on the Spirit of God as our new source of strength to look around us to others who are just as sick and unhealthy and bring them along the path toward healing and renewal.

How is this for a recruitment notice?

Wanted: Men and women who have admitted they have a helpless and sick nature, and want to walk with other men and women (who are equally helpless and sick) to a new life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Otherwise known as the abundant life. Perfect people need not apply.

That is our task. It is possible. May it begin with me.

Tom
© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

 

Vol. 16 No. 03 | January 21, 2013

Once upon a time there was a man who had achieved more than any of his colleagues and competitors. He had won every competition he had entered. Not only did he win but he won in impressive fashion. Year after year after year he excelled. Year after year he was praised. Year after year after year he claimed the titles, received the awards, and achieved his dreams. He became an icon. His face was on the cover of almost every magazine, he appeared on every talk show on every network, he was the headliner at all the big events, his accomplishments were the subject of every radio talk show, and his name became a household word around the world. He was the best.

The rumors began. Stories of inappropriate activity began to surface. Questions of his integrity became commonplace. Conversations turned into debates. Casual talk turned into heated discussions. Investigations were launched. Hearings were called to discuss the allegations. Charges were filed. The tide was turning.

“I am innocent!”

“I did not do it.”

“I am not guilty.”

“You have it all wrong.”

“You do not understand.”

“You do not know the pressure I am under.”

“I am not lying.”

“I am telling you the truth.”

Then, the truth came out. The stories were true. He had cheated. He had lied. He had deceived. He had destroyed lives to protect his image. He had used his power and influence to cover his crimes, his sins, his indiscretions, his poor choices, his abuses, and his shortcomings. He lied to cover his lies. He lied to protect his reputation. He lied to protect his fortune. He lied to “protect his family.”

Eventually the truth comes out. His face once again appears on the covers of magazines, newscast, and talk show promos. His image is soiled. His reputation is ruined. His integrity is lost. His family is devastated. His private life has now become the lead story on the evening news. The world that he had so carefully kept from public view is now discussed over coffee, in car pools, in living rooms, around dinner tables, in the local diner, at the lunch counter, and in small group Bible studies. The life that was once the envy of the world is now described with words of betrayal, disgust, and disbelief.

The wise man gives these words of truth on lies.

There are six things the Lord hates, 
 seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who poursout lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.(Proverbs 6:16-19, NIV)A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:17-18, NIV)

“Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:8-9, NIV)

Let us be people of truth. Let us live by a higher standard. Let us be people of integrity. Let us be people that other people can trust.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

 

Vol. 16 No. 02 | January 14, 2013

In It’s A Wonderful Life George Bailey questioned that.

At his low point, defeated and broken and not knowing where else to turn, he visits Mr.Potter seeking help, only to have his nemesis pour salt on his wounds:

Mr. Potter: “You’re worth more dead than alive! Why don’t you go

to the riffraff you love so much and ask them to let you have 8,000? You know why? Because they’d run you out of town on a rail. But I’ll tell you  hat I’m going to do for you, George. Since the state

examiner is still here, as a stockholder of the Building and Loan, I’m going to swear out a warrant for your arrest. Misappropriation of funds, manipulation, malfeasance…”[sees George runs off]

Mr. Potter: “All right, George, go ahead! You can’t hide in a little town like this!”

 

Potter’s words hit home. George believed him. He concluded that he was indeed worth more dead than alive. He wished he had never been born.

He got his wish. The story is his look into his world without him in it. The result is a renewed, restored and revived George Bailey.

Can you identify with George? Are you feeling as if life has passed or is passing you by? ther people get all the breaks. Other people get the promotions. Other people take the dream-of-a-lifetime vacations. Other people live in the biggest houses in the nicest neighborhoodss and drive the coolest cars. You, well you’re stuck working at the same old “Broken-down savings and loan” in the same old boring Bedford Falls that you call home.

Do what George Bailey did. Take a few minutes and try to imagine what your world would be like if you had never been born into your world.

If you had never been born…

Your children would have never known their Daddy.

Your children would have never been able to say, “I love you, Mommy.”

Your wife would have never been able to walk down the aisle into your arms.

Your husband would have never heard you say, “I will love you until I die.”

Your company would have never rebounded from the recession and made the progress it has made.

Your students would have never experienced your passion for teaching English, or Math, or History.

Your parents would have never been able to say, “I’m proud of you.”

Those people with whom you shared the Gospel when you went on that mission trip would have never learned that they are loved by the Creator of the world so much that He gave His one and only Son to die so they could have eternal life.

That little boy down the street who got hurt while his mother was working late would not have gotten the care and attention he needed.

That money you gave to support the ministries in your church would have never been given.

That little boy who watched the way you handled yourself when you lost the big game would have never learned what it means to be a good sport and how to win gracefully and lose with grace.

That little girl who never knew her real dad would have never known what it meant to be loved the right way.

That couple watching the way you and your husband love and respect each other would have never seen what a good marriage looks like.

That young lady watching how you look at your husband when he comes to the office for a visit would have never known that there is a different way.

My name is not Clarence and I am not trying to get my wings, but I can assure you: When the enemy tells you that it would have been better if you had never been born, it is a lie. Do not listen to the lies.

You are not a mistake. You are not worthless. Your family would not be better off if you were dead. You are not worth more dead than you are alive. The world, your world, would not be better without you. You would be missed. You do make a difference. You have value. You are unique. You are special. You are needed. Nobody else can ever be you or make a difference for good like you.

How do I know this? Because I know that you were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Because I know that because God created you, you are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). Because I know that God loves you so much he gave His one and only son to die for you (John 3:16). Because I know that Jesus said, “I have come that you may life and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

If you had never been born? You were. God knew what He was doing. He knows what He is doing. Trust Him and live to the fullest!

Tom
© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

 

Vol. 16 No. 01 | January 7, 2013

It is time to stop playing games with the greatest story ever told. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He came. He lived. He died. He was buried. He rose again. He forgives us of all our sins. He invites us to live abundantly knowing that we are saved by His grace through our faith in the risen Lord. He will come again and we will be with Him forever.

It is time we start living like we have been saved by grace.

It is time we act like we believe that He is the risen Lord.

It is time we live like we know that we are saved.

It is time we love people like God loves us because He loved us first.

It is time we start sharing the story of God’s love, mercy and grace with as many people as we possibly can.

It is time we stop listening to and putting more trust in the news media, the stock market and prophets of legalism, and start hearing the Lord when He says, “If I am for you who can be against you?”

It is time we stop believing that people of faith have no voice, have no influence, and that we cannot live holy lives that make a difference.

It is time we allow the words we speak, read, and sing turn into actions of courage and faith.

It is time we stop listening more to those who are wise in the ways of the world and start listening to those who are wise in the ways of God.

It is time we stop accepting violence.

It is time we get serious about being peacemakers, not just peace lovers.

It is time we admit that we really are helpless without God and stop pretending otherwise.

It is time for us to honor those who truly deserve being honored and stop glorifying those who win medals that will not last.

It is time to speak up when we should speak up and be silent when we need to be silent.

It is time for us to focus on the things that really matter and stop spending our time and our money and energy on things that do not.

It is time we stop shirking our responsibility to be the voice of reason in a world that is being guided by those who can speak the loudest.

It is time to be people who love like Jesus, talk like Jesus, listen like Jesus, confront like Jesus, show compassion like Jesus, speak with confidence and authority like Jesus, respond to needs like Jesus, offer hope like Jesus, demonstrate peace like Jesus, and sacrifice like Jesus.

It is time we stop complaining about what others are doing or are not doing and start doing what God has called us to do and to be.

It is time! Let this be the year that we step out in faith with confidence and courage and make a difference for God.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

 

Vol. 15 No. 51 | December 31, 2012

The next thing: Is it a blessing or a curse?

Obviously there are times when the next thing is a good thing. When times are difficult just getting to the next thing is a major thing. Getting to the next thing means progress and usually means moving forward. So, the next thing can be a blessing.

The next thing is just that, the next thing on your list to do. The next thing is always there no matter how short your To Do list is. Even if your next thing is Do Nothing, it is still there. It is the next thing. Rarely will our list include Do Nothing. It seems that there is always one more thing to do.

So the next thing may be more of a curse than a blessing.

While we are having lunch we often talk about what we are going to have for dinner. While we are having dinner we talk about what we will have for dessert. After dessert we talk about what movie we are going to see. As we sit waiting for the movie to begin we talk about whether or not we are going to have coffee later.

When we are children we cannot wait until we are teenagers. Once we reach our teen years we look toward the next phase when we can go to college or get our of our parents’ home. The next thing is to get a job, then have to find a spouse, then have a child, then get through the terrible twos, then through the teen years, then into college, then out of college, then hope they get a job, then hope they find a spouse, then push them to have children…GRANDCHILDREN.

The next thing is always out there calling us, pushing us, challenging us, pressuring us, and if we are not careful causing us to look past and missing the beauty in the present moment.

While you were enjoying a wonderful lunch with friends you spent more time talking about the next thing on your schedule and missed much of the beauty of the friendly conversation. While you were having your last meal with the family on vacation you were, in your mind, mapping out your travel plans for the trip home.

The curse of the next thing likes to rob us of joy of the moment. The curse of the next thing loves to cause us to worry about tomorrow so we will ignore the pleasure of today. The curse of the next thing does all it can to blind us to the beauty of the present thing. The curse of next thing can leave us wondering what we missed and filled with the miserable feelings of regret over what could have been.

So how do we avoid the curse of the next thing? I know of only one way:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:25-33, NIV)

Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17, NIV)

Do not worry about tomorrow. Seek first His kingdom. Be careful how you live. Make the most of every opportunity. Understand what the Lord’s will is. Live in the moment.

There will always be a next thing. How you handle it will determine if it is a blessing or a curse.

Tom

© Copyright 2012 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.