As many of you probably know, especially those of you who study the Bible, Paul has a unique approach when he writes. In all of his books, he spends a good amount talking doctrine and doing some serious teaching. Ultimately, he gets to the more practical aspects of the Christian walk. it is like he puts on a different hat. You will find that with Colossians. This week I begin preaching from Chapter 3 of Colossians. Because of the shift in focus, I decided to change the theme as well, and call it Extreme Makeover.
Are you old enough to remember Dan Jansen? He was the “hard-luck” skater who was picked to with the Gold Medal in Speed skating. But in 1988, despite his desire to win the gold for his sister who had died of leukemia, Dan fell. In 1992, he came away empty again. But in 1996, in Lillihammer, Norway, he won the gold medal and set a world record in the process. He skated his victory lap with his 9 month old daughter in his arms.
After the Olympics, he was asked how he overcame so much adversity and kept going. He related the time he was twelve years old and had lost a meet. On the way home, he pouted. His father was silent until they arrived home. Then as Dan was going to bed, he went to Dan’s room and said, “Son, life is more than skating in circles,” and walked out. Jansen said that one comment changed his whole perspective on life.
Dan Jansen didn’t quit skating in circles. He just had a bigger picture. Many people, maybe even some reading this, are skating in circles. Drudgery and boredom have replaced excitement and joy. Life is one circle after another…only the sad part is the circle never widens. Sort of like the old saying, ” ‘Round and ’round it goes, where it stops nobody knows.” I am convinced, and will live and breathe it to my dying day, God never intended the Christian life to be one of drudgery and boredom. N-E-V-E-R!! I love life and want to live it to the hilt. ‘Course my age slows me down some but I ain’t done living yet! Get me that Harley! (Oops sorry honey. Don’t know how that got in there). I still want to visit Alaska. I still want to ride cross country on my bike with some friends and my wife by my side. (No, not on the bike but maybe driving the sag vehicle). 🙂
Anyway, that is a little far off the track. Doggone those ever-widening circles! 🙂 My message Sunday is called (appropriately): “Stop Skating in Circles.” I want to talk about what separates the true follower of Christ from one who is “playing at” it. My two main thoughts are these:
TRUE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST ARE PREOCCUPIED WITH JESUS
TRUE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST ARE ENAMORED WITH JESUS
There really is some good stuff in 3: 1-4. “Seek the things.” “Set your minds.” I hope to “unpack” (please forgive me for using that overused word but I don’t know what else to use) those phrases so we will stop skating in circles. As I do each week, I ask for your prayers. I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate them. There have been times I have felt lousy (physically and spiritually) but knew you were praying. I “felt” them. Thanks ahead of time.
Question: if someone asked you how you could be preoccupied and enamored with Jesus while staying “real,” what would you say? I would like to hear any thoughts you may have. I will gone for most of the day to fulfill the postponed lunch at Pizza Hut with my college buddy, but will post the comments and respond as soon as I can.
My thanks to Ryan, my techgeek, for the banner. Time, being a new father, being sick, and being swamped at work has played havoc with Dan’s usual banner contribution. Ryan pinch-hit for Dan and found the above banner. I love my teammates!! 😀
TRUE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST ARE PREOCCUPIED WITH JESUS
Amen. Bill, here’s to being preoccupied and distracted with Jesus.
I’m with you Michael. Praying for that. Thanks.
I don’t know how anyone can be real without being preoccupied and distracted with Jesus. It would be like trying to launch a rocket without any fuel.
I was thinking about Dennis Jernigan’s song, “He Is My All In All.
I agree Susan. I want that to be true of me. Not familiar with that song since that is not my style. Sorry. 🙂 Thanks for the comments.
You can’t get any real-er than Jesus, so being preoccupied/distracted with/by Him just makes sense.
So let’s start getting preoccupied and distracted with/by Jesus and not “church” or vainglorious religion.
Dangit.
Can you imagine what would happen if we did? Thanks Donald.
Hi Bill,
I would say that a person is real being preoccupied with Jesus because that is who they are. Jesus is an everyday part of their lives all through the day. He’s with them in the mall, in the grocery store, in an emergency, in a happy moment, in a breathtaking scenic view, in their sick bed, in their busy day, etc. etc.
I think it would be hard to separate them. Im that dynamic both the person and Jesus are being ‘real’.
The Bible says “in all things” or “whatever you do.” Good point Linda. Thanks.
“if someone asked you how you could be preoccupied and enamored with Jesus while staying “real,” what would you say?”
I just remember I couldn’t be here to be real without Jesus. It’s hard not to love the reason you exist. 🙂
Without a doubt Jason. He keeps you real and grounded. Thanks.
Bill, this is great. Kinda aligns with what Jay @ Soulfari just posted. When all is said in done, I want my life to be characterized by what you wrote: “Dustin was preoccupied with Jesus,” That is awesome.
That would be a great tombstone etching wouldn’t it? Gotta go read Jay’s. Thanks for the comment Dustin.
Hey…thanks for the plug bro’
Been sitting here and thinking how to answer the question you ask – it is really not an easy one.
I think it come down to the old saying that most of us think is in the Bible and it is not i there but the idea is and that is “Be in the world and not of the world”. I also think when we preoccupy ourselves with Christ we then can get somewhat unbalanced and can be so heavenly minded that we are of no Earthly good. So I think it is focusing on Christ and being preoccupied with Him all while applying what he taught to our everyday lives and point others to Him through it.
Hope that makes sense.
Makes perfect sense Jim (after all we are long lost brothers). One of the points I am bringing up is the tendency to be so heavenly-minded we are no earthly good. You have applied it well. Thanks for a thoughtful comment.
Dan Jansen is a great story. He found his “new normal”. I want to be like that in my leadership.
Thanks for the excellent post, Bill.
I like that Scott: the new normal. I want that also. Thanks for the kind words Scott.
Well, I pray throughout my work day, I try to live my life so that someone may see Jesus through me, I try to show caring & compassion to others, is this being preoccupied with Jesus? It doesn’t seem like much when I look at it in letter form, but I hope that’s some of what being preoccupied with Him means. Enjoy your Pizza Hut Bill! 🙂
Jan: living your life for Jesus is a good way to say you are preoccupied with Him. Never underestimate your example. Pizza Hut was good. Friendship and conversation was better. Thanks Jan.
I want to be overwhelmed with Jesus. Reach that point when I truly understand what He has done, for who he is, for what I am in Him. The rest is just (as you said) skating in circles.
May your tribe increase Moe. Thanks.
Are you old enough to remember Dan Jansen? So say I’m old enough to remember when ice was formed!
Consumed by Jesus…sounds like real-ness to me.
Thanks Bill!
Man, you ARE old Jay! 🙂 But then again…if you are then that makes me ancient. Can’t get much more real than being consumed by Him. Thanks Jay.