This is one of those questions I ask when I coach people on their Strengths. While we focus on the good stuff, our talents, and invest time intentionally having a conversation about all the natural ways we are really great at doing things, we also have to talk about what tends to get us off track. We need to be honest and admit, sometimes we really do get off track. Then what? How do we handle getting back on track?
True Story Ahead
This morning I had many things that got me off track from my quiet time. In the first couple of hours I was up, here’s just a smidge of what happened:
First, our dog has a UTI, so now I had to give her an antibiotic with her meal, which means I had to take a little extra time to hide the pill in her food so she doesn’t notice it. Then I had to take extra time to make sure she finished her breakfast.
Next, the Keurig water was too low for my first cup of coffee, so I had to fill it, then refill the water pitcher so it can be ready for the next person who needs water.
Finally off to my writing room, but there I sat, still blurry-eyed. I just sat for a few minutes. I have no recollection of what I was thinking. It’s a blur.
Finally, I shook myself out of that daze and opened my journal. I wrote a bit about the 4th of July experience. At which point I started thinking about all of the holiday pictures. Then I realized I hadn’t backed them up yet, so I did that.
Next thing I know I’m looking at Facebook. Then Instagram. Then Email. Then Pinterest.
What just happened?
Could I have gotten more off track than that?
Focus is difficult for me in the morning, but I know better than to check my iPhone when I’m supposed to be checking my Bible.
Curiosity is one of those things that gets me off track.
I have to reign it in Every. Single. Day. or I’d never get anything done. I’m always so curious about things that I can find myself down some trail that leads me further and further away from what I am supposed to be doing. It’s always been a challenge for me. Curiosity is one of those things in my life that I have to be particularly careful about or it will control my day’s journey rather than me directing my day’s outcomes.
So, while I hate to admit this, I got off track this morning.
How did I get back on track? I realized what I was doing. Then I stopped. Turned my phone over. And opened my Bible.
Friends, while my morning journey down the wrong track is not life threatening, it is representative of what can happen to us so easily in our faith journey in this world. The world’s gravitational pull is strong. We need to resist. We need to stay the course as children of God. We have to be intentional to get back on the right course if we step off track even if for a few minutes. The wrong tracks will take us places God doesn’t want us to go.
We have to stay on the tracks that will lead us to Jesus and His ways for us. We need to determine what things get us off track, so that we can manage them. Don’t let those things control you. Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus. Stay on the tracks He sets us on. Then we can be sure we are living God’s best for us and we can be on the path of life.
So, what tends to get you off track?
Scripture:
Isaiah 48:17 – I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – I trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways I acknowledge Him and He directs my paths.
Psalm 16:11 – God will show me the path of life.
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