Thursday thoughts: Stay focused on God By JILL JOHNSON Wednesday, August 16, 2023 I would not admit this to just anyone, but I am a fair-weather driver. In other words, I can drive perfectly when it is sunny but anything other than that proves a challenge for me. It seems like the last few weeks we have had some “bad” driving weather. It made me think about how I can compare the driving weather and the roads. Humor me for just a moment while you read this and let’s pretend that the road represents God. Through all my scenarios the road will always represent God. First off, one morning it was torrentially raining. I cannot stand to drive in the rain and it is totally worse if it is raining and dark. I was on my way to work on this particular morning so it was raining and somewhat dark. When it’s raining you have to worry or be concerned about hydroplaning. I have never experienced this but I know your car can slide uncontrollably on the wet surface of the road. Some days I feel like my life is sliding uncontrollably. I hope I’m not the only one that feels this way. So many things are pulling at me – work, family, church, friends, etc. – and I end up feeling like I can’t do or please everyone, which causes me to feel out of control. If you think about it, when it is raining you have to focus on the road. You have to watch and be aware of the puddles of water or the chance that your car or another car might lose control. The road doesn’t change – the driving conditions do. When my life is out of control my road (God) has not changed, I have. I have allowed my focus to be on “things” instead of God. The conditions while I drive down my life road have changed. Focus on the road. Another morning it was incredibly foggy on my way to work. Fog can make you feel like you lose your bearings and something can slip up on you quickly. It is like you are straining to see ahead and you can’t, which makes it difficult to drive. Some days I feel like I am living life in a fog. It’s like a cloud is hanging over me and I can’t see past it. I lose my bearings which affects my purpose. I am distracted and vulnerable to things catching me off guard. I try so hard to see what is ahead in the fog - but I just can’t. I want to only drive (go) where I can see but the fog is blurring my vision. If you think about it when you are driving and it is foggy you have to focus on the road. About the only thing you can do is slow down and direct your attention to the road. The road doesn’t change – it just becomes harder to see. When I can’t see where life is leading me and I feel like I am driving in a fog the road (God) has not changed – the conditions while I drive down my life road have changed. I have allowed my focus to be on “circumstances” instead of God. Focus on the road. On another afternoon I was driving home and everything was running smoothly on the interstate until all of a sudden traffic completely stopped. I had no idea what was going on, it was just barely moving. It should have taken me 15 minutes to get from where I was to home, but instead it took almost an hour. When I am sitting in traffic I feel like I am wasting my time. I don’t see a purpose and it is frustrating. When I feel like my life is at a standstill, the purpose is unclear, and it seems as though I am just going through the motions, my road (God) has not changed - the conditions while I drive down my life road have changed. I have allowed my focus to be consumed with irritation and impatience instead of trusting God. For all I know, He has protected me from an accident. Be patient and focus on the road. All these driving situations cause me stress. All these life situations cause me more stress. Every day, and sometimes more than once a day, the driving conditions can change. Every day, and sometimes more than once a day, my life conditions can change. Life can be running smoothly and then all of a sudden – one phone call can spin you out of control, one situation that you can’t see an end to can hang over you, one problem can frustrate you and cause you to question the purpose.  I feel like you could identify with at least one, right? Please say I am not the only one who has stress in their life! What should we do when we are under stress? Focus on God. We are to be Faithful, Obedient, Committed Unwavering Solely to God! We need to continually pray to keep our focus on HIM. When I am driving I have to keep my focus, and especially when conditions are not ideal I certainly have to keep my focus. Isn’t that the same with life? Let’s keep our eyes on the road (God) and just keep on driving, trying not to let our life situations distract, overwhelm and frustrate us. Just focus on the road! Isaiah 40:8 says “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” We have to trust the road God has us on even when we feel out of control, overwhelmed, frustrated and can’t see what’s ahead. Also, for my sake, please don’t tell my husband I admitted to being a fair-weather driver. I’d like to keep him in the dark on that one. ___ Jill Johnson, a staff member at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother and Georgian. She is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org. --- PULLQUOTES --- Quote: Our conditions in life change all the time but our God and His Word remain the same. --- PHOTOS --- File: 20230105-130542-Jill Johnson thumbnail.jpg Caption: Jill Johnson