Thursday, October 20, 2011

The Law of Distraction, Part 1

A few years back, I had heard of the 'Law of Attraction' while networking for my small business.  It made so much sense to me back then. I readily believed in the power of forming and holding a strong, clear vision of my goals. "People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan." Of course! The real power came from the accompanying positive, no, exhilerating, emotions. You had to see it plainly and jump-up-and-down feel it as if it were already so.

See what? Feel what? That's where I slumped. While I believed in the 'Law of Attraction', I wanted to incorporate my Christian beliefs into them.  I ended up getting in my own way of making these 'Laws' work for me.  When I tried to form a vision, material things would seem so vain and the vision would grow dim. 

I tried making spiritual goals, yet there wasn't something I could visualize for them. I tried starting out with simple goals: be a writer, publish a book, become a real estate investor, be a loving father and husband, etc. But, the process didn't seem to fit me even though I thought it simply must happen for anyone. It's like the law of gravity: it's just there. Why not use it to your advantage?

I even tried setting a goal that I would become a goal-oriented person. Yet, that was even more like wishful thinking. Rather, God wanted to show me who was really in charge. He did. What an awful time I spent struggling; pretending things would get better; hoping for the break-through that would never come through; and breaking into uncontrollable sobs at my desk in the middle of the work day. I lost hope and despaired.

Years later, in the present, I realize the 'Law of Attraction' was a 'Law of Distraction' for me.  In the end, what did I really love? What had become the essence of my life? What was really important to me? Ah! To return to my true love: Jesus Christ. Instead, I had repeated the deadly pattern over and over: I'm healed! Thinking I'm healed, 'now' was the time to fit the normal mold or even the successful mold. But I looked and saw the mold wasn't the one made by my Creator. It was fashioned from the opinions and praises of men. Not only was I distracted, I was deceived, with myself largely to blame.

The journey I am on, which has only recently begun, has been an awakening one, and a true blessing. My heart knows the way Home now, and that way is not man's way. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9) 

I have seen my attempts to embrace this so-called 'Law of Attraction' to 'get' things out of life crumble. After all, as Max Lucado so clearly reminded me one weekend, it's not about me. Selfishness brought about discipline from my heavenly Father, and that was tough. It was never about me, yet I wanted it to be so bad. Once I embrace that idea, however, that it isn't about me, in my heart, joy abounds. I was blind but now I see! How marvelous are nature's brilliant colors, the shifting lights of a majestic sunrise, beautiful souls in the image of God!

For me, there is no stronger attraction than the grace, mercy, and love of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Who else has the words of life? Anything less is a potential distraction. It's law, simple, like gravity. Yet, when He fills my cup, my cup overflows. Indeed, the key to understanding my history is to understand His Story in it.

Monday, February 28, 2011

A Letter to the Lord

In the morning, I usually write my prayers out. Sometimes my prayer is specific, sometimes it's general, and sometimes it's both. I always capitalize words and pronouns that refer to God or Jesus, such as You; my personal preference. (The 'circumstances' to which I refer in this prayer are improved personal finances and church experience.) Here's a small prayer I'd like to share.

Dear Father God,
It is no secret to You that I have longed and prayed and hoped for different circumstances. Your ears are full of my supplications and pleas. Yet, where are the sounds of my gratitude? In everything and for everyone in my life let me be truly thankful. Let me be filled with the Holy Spirit. May I walk in the light and fellowship of Jesus Christ always.
Love,
Dwight

Although this letter / prayer is small, I mean it with all my heart. I will periodically share more, but I wanted to include this so that my readers would know from other posts that I am not without a definite Christian essence. I realize some of my posts seem quite secular and even a little dark. But, above all, I hope to be real here. After all, these are my revelations for life. Life goes on; I struggle, I grow, I change, and hopefully, I mature. God bless you, reader!!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Here Just Yesterday

The days flew by, I don't know why. They were here just yesterday.
Perhaps I should die, curl up and sigh. Life's lessons are short lived anyway.

My computer is no tutor, 'tis more like a looter, for its appetite flies too quickly.
I'm tempted to cry, but my eyes stay dry. It's too late to avoid turning sickly.

But why can't I write, and put up a fight, for what my heart truly desires?
Confidence, I'm sure, as I grow and mature, is facing my passions and fires.

It's not just an art, it burns in my heart; even the Spirit of life is within me.
It yearns to get out, to whisper, to shout, and tell all it's sweeter than honey.

With purpose I live, my life's mission and give, building upon solid ground.
In thoughts I was tossed, but did not get lost, in words by which I was found.

These days are too short, to sit idly in court, judging how time should be spent.
In the writing I do, giving myself to you, I know every moment was meant.

Such was my life, empty grasping and strife, to experience the worldly decoy.
But now I know peace, love will never cease, flowing in crisp rivers of joy.

More than a tool, writing's a jewel, and lifts my soul to the sky.
To Him be glory, as I write my story, for He is the reason why.