Skip to content
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

The Shepherd's Pen

Kelly Larson

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
Menu

A New Normal #15 – Keep Your Eye on the Ball

by Kelly LarsonPosted on April 14, 2020April 14, 2020

The end of this week will mark the fourth week of our shelter-in-place. I must say that I am very impressed with the resolve of most of the people to whom I speak. People are forging ahead, they are intentional about accomplishing what they can, and still seeking to honor the social distancing guidelines. Yet, a few chinks in the armor are beginning to show in us all.

How long will this last?
When will we be able to get back into our churches and businesses?
When can we get back to work?
How will “The Next Normal” begin to play out? 

Like I said, the resolve is quite impressive, but something like this does wear on the emotions. 

In the midst of uncertainty, we need to keep our eyes on the main thing. When I was a kid who loved to play baseball, my dad would encourage me to “keep my eye on the ball.” I suppose I tended to see the ball after it left the pitcher’s hand and yet, fail to track it all the way to the plate. The result was swinging at air, well before or after the ball had passed me, missing the “opportunity.”

Right now, I want to encourage us to “keep our eyes on the ball.” The next 2 weeks, or 4 months are not the goal. Coming out of quarantine is not the goal. Opening the economy is not the goal. 

Paul sets a great example of priorities as he sits in prison. In the book of Philippians, he writes of his intentions:

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of ityet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14). 

His mindset is not, “When can I get out of this place?” or, “How long will this last?” His focus is Christlikeness. 

As Christians, we think in the long term, like, in the eternal. Let’s take care of ourselves, and press on… however long this may last. This is, after all, part of the journey He has us on. Let us not fail to seize this opportunity, and keep our eyes upon the ball.

May God be with us. 

Pastor Kelly   /‘.’\  

TheShepherdsPen@iCloud.com

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Posted in Something to Chew OnTagged Philippians 3:12-14

Post navigation

Machaira #3 – Like a Tree
Epitome of Love (Shepherd’s Echo)

Related Posts

  • A Conversation Worth Having A Conversation Worth Having
  • Prayer for Biden Prayer for Biden
  • Evil Evil
  • The Anchor of Hope The Anchor of Hope
  • Saving Oz Saving Oz
  • Grace and Pineapples (Turning 60)

Please Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Recent Posts

  • A Convenient Christ (Shepherd’s Echo)
  • And He Sent a Wolf
  • Hey Pastor! Take Your Cape Off!
  • Sweet Tooth (Shepherd’s Echo)
  • Are You Washed?

Kelly’s Book on Amazon

thumbnail

Subscribe to Blog

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
The Shepherd's Pen Copyright © 2021