Modern Psalms: Tune and Focus Me

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4, NLT)

Hey Pops,

I want to be more constantly aware of you. For too long, I’ve let personal drama get in the way of consistently pursuing you. I’ve let people and situations distract me from what really matters: sitting at your feet and putting my mind on you. 

Forgive my short-sightedness. Forgive my selfish heart. Forgive my scattered focus and for allowing my attention to be stolen so easily.

Thank you for showing me the life I’ve been invited to live. You reminded me again that my life is not separated from Jesus’. You have given me the opportunity to live a life that is tethered and connected so intimately to your Son. And so when my life is connected to yours, it’s my responsibility to hide away in you and spend time becoming familiar with you.

Try as I might, am I bound to mess up still? Sure, but you always find a way to get my attention again. You always find a way to recall my heart to your goodness and love. I want to press into you so wholly and deeply. I want to remember the realities of heaven over whatever my human eyes may see. Forgive me for allowing myself to walk with my gaze on the ground, absorbed on the path directly in front of me, rather than training my attention on you and where you want me to go.

Open up my eyes to see the spiritual armies around me. Change my attitude to not get so hung up on people or things that are meant as cheap tricks to irritate me and push me back into a worldly mindset. Show me how you are at work behind each situation I face. Show me how the situations I’m struggling with are opportunities to temper my spirit, grow my faith, and help me become more like you.

Even you, Jesus, went through moments of difficulty. Even you had to walk through crowds of people that didn’t have faith in you, who wanted to knock you down and shake your confidence. Help me to be encouraged in the moments that I find myself dealing with the same things. Remind me that obvious and extravagant lifestyles are not where you’ve asked me to be faithful.

Lord, I want to be someone that you know. I want to be someone that invests time and energy into building a relationship with you. If that means that I’m never known for another work of my hand, then so be it. If that means that I have to let go of platforms and recognition, then take it. Make me into a disciple that is devoted to you, like John, or Joseph, or David, or Mary. Constantly call me to your feet, to the hiding place, and ever-closer to your heart.

If my real life is hidden in you, then give me the bravery to let go of the things that hold me back from getting more lost in you. I give you permission to hide me away in your heart and give me more of your qualities. Give me a genuine heart and true intention. 

I thank you that you’ve given me gifts of praise. I thank you that the power of that praise gives me the ability to lift myself out of distractions and refocus my life on you. I thank you for allowing me to glorify you with something so pure as my worship. Tune me, Lord, and open my heart to your wonder again.

Let my praise be the laser pointer that helps my mind, heart, and spirit stay planted in the things that please you. 

I love you so much. 

Talk soon,
Cortney