Every Mother’s Day my children cook dinner for me.  They make me sit on the couch (I’m not allowed in the kitchen) with my feet up and TV remote in hand.  Of course, there is no football and usually it’s the Kentucky Derby I’m stuck watching.  It’s fine but I am always amazed at the horses. These are very expensive, highly trained, machines running next to each other.  Some of these horses cost between $500K and $2.5M just to purchase them.  What keeps them in that race with the ability to move forward?  It’s that blinder.  If you look it up on Google, they can cost anywhere between $20 and $1K.  When I began to research it, I realized the importance of blinders and thought we need ‘spiritual blinders’ on in our own lives.  These blinders fit four main purposes. They are 1. Reduce of the horse’s field of vision 2. Allows the horse to focus on the track ahead 3.  Helps the horse remain calm in stressful or over whelming situations. 4.  Helps the horse to not be distracted.  The bible instructs us in Hebrews 12:1-2 ‘to keep your eyes on Jesus.’  In this coming year, we need to place spiritual blinders on our eye so we can keep our focus on Jesus.  Thus, we will not be easily distracted.  We are easily distracted in everyday life therefore, we will easily be distracted in our walk with God.  Don’t be distracted by things that don’t matter!  We won’t wander and lose sight of the prize.  If we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can stay calm during the calamity that is coming.  When you keep your eyes on Jesus, He keeps us calm – He carries us when life is overwhelming – He removes stress and carries our burdens.  When you keep these blinders on, it will keep you from looking at others – comparing yourself.  My friends, I encourage you this year to stay focused – stay calm – stay running the race keeping our eyes on Jesus.

Recently I heard a story from a man of God whom Pastor and I have known thru the years. He has gone on to his Heavenly reward but was a true man of God.  He told a story that still shakes me to my core just thinking of the possibility.  You see, he was in College a few decades ago and had to take a Science class of which he chose Oceanography.  The class had about 700 students and the professor he wasn’t taking attendance but there were three test and a project.  So as along as you passed the test and did the project, this man of God thought he would be good to go.  For the project, he picked his topic doing extensive research and designed a lecture.  When he presented his lecture, it was preached rather than taught and the entire class gave him a standing ovation.  He received his project back and the professor put = Great research – incredible presentation – Final Grade F – WRONG ASSIGNMENT.  When you think about this in the spiritual realm, I don’t want to get to Heaven and stand before our Heavenly Father – only for Him to say, “You did many great things.  You worked with all your heart.  However, that isn’t what I called you to do.”   Finding out what God has called us to do is so important for our success here on earth but more importantly for our rewards in Heaven. Think about it – you don’t get to Heaven and say “Can I get a redo?”  You get one shot at this.  Find out your calling – find your God given assignment – Find the reason and purpose for which you were placed on this earth. 

Recently, I was riding the exercise bike watching my children play games and these simple words spoke to my spirit – Refocus, Revisit and Renew.  Afterwards, I begin to think about how this past year there were so many unknowns – ups and downs, stop-go and everything in between.  To some, it appeared as if life came to a halt.  To others, lock down and quarantine created a culture of self  while exposing  the darkness hidden within all the while the church sat by on the sidelines waiting for their redemption.  A year has gone by and life is starting to come back to some type of regular.  Though we will never go back to the good ole days, we must walk through the new restrictions of life. 

In so doing, we as believers must refocus.  Refocus our goals. 

We must revisit our dreams.  Revisit is to consider again from a different perspective. (A different perspective AKA after COVID!)

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