The other day I had one of those days when my head was full of too many thoughts and dreams while my hands were full with menial tasks and household chores.  The disparity was agonizing.  The next morning, as I sat to pray, I asked God to quiet my thoughts.  It seemed right to sit in the quiet and look to Jesus.  For the first time, though, I asked the question, “where?”  In heaven, on the right hand of the Father?  He is there, but that’s not where I needed to look.  On the cross?  That has been a powerful place for me to experience Jesus.  But not now.  Walking the dusty roads, kneeling at the feet of the disciples, or in the wilderness?  No.  Look at him before that, when Jesus was a carpenter.  When his days were full of ordinary tasks.  We don’t know much about his life before his public ministry started.  But I do know some things.  I know he depended on his Father, seeking His will.  I know he entrusted himself to God, not fearing man nor seeking his approval.  He never sinned, which not only means he never did anything wrong or harbored a bitter thought, he also never left anything undone that should be done.  He was never selfish.  He didn’t spend all his time thinking about himself and serving himself.  He was mindful to love others; I’m sure he took initiative beyond his own life routine.  He loved, reaching out in “little” ways, even as he was the ultimate “reaching out.”

I can’t just take my focus off myself; I need to refocus on Jesus, on others, on ministry.

Please help me to look to you today, Jesus, and lift my eyes from myself.

…I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.  John 8:28-29