Super Saturday: Let's Focus on the Messy Middle

I spent some time working on my book proposal this week. 

As I wrote, I soon realized something disturbing. It wasn't good. In fact, I'd even go so far as to say it sucked.

This realization made me want to close the file, shut the laptop, and go eat a handful of chocolate chips.

I'm in the messy middle, and it's not fun.

The messy middle is where we're tempted to give up on a dream or goal because we are faced with the reality of what it will actually take to accomplish what we want to do.

When we first set a goal, it's exciting. We think about how great it will be to write that book, lose that weight, make that money, learn that skill, or achieve whatever dream we have.

When we accomplish the goal, it's thrilling. I wrote the book! I lost the weight! I made the money! I learned the skill! I achieved my dream!

We often forget about the messy middle. The hours and hours we have to sit and write, rewrite, and edit our words before they become a book that is ready for readers. The cravings we have to ignore, the choices we have to make, and the exercise we need to put in before those pesky pounds are shed. The calls we have to make, the hard work we have to put in, and the sacrifices we have to make before we make the money, learn the skill, or achieve the dream.

It's hard, but it's absolutely necessary.

I'd even say the accomplishment of our goal or dream wouldn't be nearly as sweet without the hard work we chose to put in during the messy middle.

So I'll keep writing that book proposal. It will suck at first, but each hour I spend at it will hopefully make it better and better. Someday, it might even lead to a finished book about depression that will be an encouragement to many people.

That will be sweet, and worth every second of the messy middle.

  

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9 NIV)

Are you tempted to give up when you're in the messy middle? How can focusing on God help you to work through that difficult time and accomplish your goals and dreams?

Focus Friday: Let's Focus on Focusing

Last Saturday I went to a Beth Moore simulcast event at another church in town.

As Beth had us flipping back and forth in our Bibles, exploring the theme, I realized that I had not done that for quite a while. We visited many verses throughout the day, and it felt good.

Toward the end, she said something I just had to write down in my notes: Maybe we don't know who we are because we've forgotten who He is.

"Bingo!" my heart cried. That's why I've been so restless and unsettled in recent months. (I suppose it could also be a six-hour move to a new city, but that's only part of it.) I've been listening to podcasts and reading books and watching YouTube videos, but I haven't been digging deep into the Bible on a regular basis. That's where my true guidance comes from. From God, through His word.

My brain has been jumping from one idea to another: Maybe I should become a full-time editor. No, maybe I should get busy writing those books I've been talking about. Should I write the book on anger? or the book on depression? I'm not angry or depressed anymore, maybe I need to pour my time into ministry at church. Oh, but faith is very important, I need to spend time growing spiritually!

And because I'm not focusing on any of those things, none of them get done.

As I looked for a verse about focus, I found this passage from Philippians 3:12-20 in The Message. Take a minute to read it and let it sink in (even better, go read the entire passage online, I left out bits and pieces here):

"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But.... I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward--to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision-- you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

Stick with me, friends....There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them.....All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street....all they can think of is their appetites.

But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven!"

                                                   (Philippians 3:12-20 The Message)

I think that's it. We need to keep focused on the goal, Jesus. It's not "easy street," but if we stay totally committed to Him I think the rest of life will fall into place more easily.

When our eyes (and our hearts) are darting around looking at every possibility and opportunity out there, we'll be confused, unfocused. But when we fix our eyes on Him (the author and perfecter of our faith) our path will become much more clear. We'll know which goals to focus on so that we get closer to Him and closer to the person He created us to be.

If I focus, maybe I'll even finish a book someday.

"Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you." (Proverbs 4:25 NIV)

Are you unfocused, looking around at way too many possibilities? How can focusing on God help you to see more clearly and know where to spend your time?

Focus Friday: Let's Focus on our Goofy Goofy Brains

It's going to be close to midnight when I post this week's blog.

It didn't have to be. I could have gotten it done this afternoon or earlier this evening. It's all my sister-in-law's fault.

Last week Cheryl commented that I seemed to be getting my blog done earlier in the day since we had moved to Platte.

It was true. I've still had a few "Super Saturdays," but recently I had been finding time to write and post well before my usual late hours.

So what happened today? I guess I can't really blame it on Cheryl. It's my goofy goofy brain!

For some reason, even though I didn't give it too much thought last week, my brain remembered that comment today and I could actually feel the strong resistance to writing my blog earlier.

I'm not even sure exactly what my goofy brain was doing. Most of it was subconscious earlier in the day, but as it got later I actually had thoughts like these:

I don't really feel like writing my blog tonight.
I can wait until tomorrow, nobody will mind.
I'm not sure what to write about, so waiting will be better.

I filled my day with stuff that was worthwhile in my free time, but it certainly wasn't necessary. It was nothing getting me any closer to my goals of writing more and growing in my faith.

My goofy goofy brain has been bugging me in other ways, too, like when I set the alarm for six. When the alarm goes off my brain tells me all sorts of lies about why I should just stay in bed a little longer, even though I have a goal of exercising early and getting a good start on my day.

Sometimes my goofy brain suggests that I grab a handful of M&Ms or eat a bowl of ice cream when I'm not hungry, even though I've set a goal of losing some extra pounds in the weeks ahead.

Our goofy brains are amazing. So much goes on in our heads. Our bodies wouldn't function without everything happening just right in our brains. 

But we have to realize that our brains will sometimes lie to us. If we have gotten into certain bad habits or routines, our brains will try to keep us doing those same things over and over. They will protest if we attempt to do something new. Our goofy brains want to take the easy way.

"For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." (Galatians 5:17 NIV)

The Holy Spirit can help us when our goofy goofy brains want to take us down a road that caters to our flesh. With some thought and prayer we can act in ways that are better for us than the things our goofy brains tell us.

So...take that, goofy brain! I'll do something else instead of grabbing that snack if I'm not hungry.

Wake up, goofy brain! I'm getting out of bed even though you're telling me I don't have to.

Well, what do you know, goofy brain! I just wrote my blog post even though you told me to wait until tomorrow.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2 NIV)

Does your goofy brain ever lie to you and keep you from accomplishing your goals? How can focusing on God help you to ignore the lies and do what's right instead?