Focus on the Lord •

I wrote this post for “GodsyGirl – Pastors Wives“, but I’m sharing in case it may bless you too! Yesterday, I was on a radio show that focused on the numerous challenges women married to pastors manage. It’s so important to focus on the Lord or you’ll go crazy.

Let me tell you, it was one of the most exhilarating conversations I’ve had in years. The conversation included the host (a former minister’s wife), the pastor’s wife I had growing up, and myself.

The dialogue was open, honest and the only limitation was the timelimit. We talked about EVERYTHING!

One thing I had hoped to convey and I strive to do daily is to perform my life for an audience of One. You know who that One is. 🙂 It’s Jesus!

Pastor’s wives need to focus on the Lord to stay sane.

In our role, it is incredibly easy to fall prey to the “spotlight” and live our lives for other people.

We can live for their praise, acknowledgment, validation, and recognition. What a huge mistake!

Sure, it’s nice when people appreciate you. But, you can’t live for it! It can’t mean so much to you that you lose sight of yourself.

Whether you’re a pastor’s wife or not, God has called you to serve Him and Him only.

Even our outreach and ministry to others is to please our Father. Our spiritual performance is because of and a humble sacrifice to Him. So, we gotta keep our eyes and expectations locked on the Lord and His Kingdom.

It sounds so elementary, but I know exactly what it is like to try to please others. It’s a hamster wheel of wasted time.

When I first married my husband, I thought I was supposed to dress like the women in my childhood church – with the hats, fancy suits, and so on. I tried it for a while and …um…I HATED IT!

I’m very much a “jeans and tennis” shoes sort of person.

It wasn’t very long before I went back to what I felt comfortable wearing. Guess what. My new church family couldn’t have cared less. They accepted me anyway. My husband always told me to be myself!

Don’t do what you do for anyone other than the Lord. Sure you want to bless others, but keep Him in the forefront.

This post reminds me of one of my favorite hymns, Hillsong – “Turn your eyes upon Jesus”

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

Oh soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free

Through death into life everlasting
He passed and we follow Him there
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conquerors we are

Oh, turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

His word shall not fail you, He promised
Believe Him and all will be well
Then go to a world that is dying
His perfect salvation to tell

Oh, turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
Oh, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

Oh, turn your, oh, turn your
Oh, turn your eyes upon Jesus
Oh, turn your, hey, oh, turn your
Oh, turn your eyes upon Jesus
Oh, turn your, oh, turn your
Oh, turn your eyes upon Jesus
Oh, turn your, oh, turn your
Oh, turn your eyes upon Jesus
Oh, turn your, oh, turn your
Oh, turn your eyes upon Jesus
Oh, turn your (oh, turn), oh, turn your
Oh, turn your eyes upon Jesus

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Helen Howarth Lemmel

Christian Woman, all eyes on Him! Focus on the Lord. You’ll be in bondage when you rely on people’s approval.