Life Verses

Some people have life verses but i think in my case i am going to call them focus verses simply because they keep changing. It looks like they change about once a decade. (this sounds like something out of Stuff Christians Like :)

Romans 8:38-39 (Whole Chapter)
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This was the first focus verse i had when i was younger. i really needed to understand God's grace. i really needed to understand how He loved me. i clung to this verse knowing He would cling to me.

2 Corinthians 4:18 (Whole Chapter)
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal."

This verse was when i fell in love with philosophy in college. i had a philosophy course at Liberty University. it gives a focus of where our eyes should be fixed. It gives an outlook on life. it helps us forget material stuff that doesn't satisfy nor will last.

Mark 10:45 (Whole Chapter)
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Tonight i saw the movie Traitor with my wife. i have been thinking about this verse before this night but Traitor really gave a good glimpse of the peaceful side of the Muslim and Christian faith. it showed a devout Muslim standing for his beliefs which was the main focus but i do like how it included Christianity. my wife sometimes questions whether i serve her too much. (quick point on relationships - keeping score is never a good idea.) this verse gives me so much peace. for so long i have been anxious about sharing my faith and building my career. i have heard it said a few times don't just do something stand there. another way to put it is we are called human beings and not human doings. this verse challenges me with my Savior's mission, namely to serve. if this verse can be the focus of the next decade of my life i think it will dissipate the anxiety and give me a mission. i also have been frustrated with lack of control of my mouth and being angry lately. i've had a short fuse. i think this verse will help me to just be. Jesus was a servant. ethan is a servant (not on the same level of course). if i can define myself as that than my life will be the Gospel to others and i will not have to be frustrated about what job i have.

if God gives me another decade it will be interesting to see where my focus verse goes or maybe it just takes me that long to learn :). i challenge you, my friend. What verse defines you these days? You may just need grace or to lift your eyes to Jesus. This maybe a call to start focus verses instead of life verses or maybe God has given you a Scripture so precious to hold on to longer than i can. :) either way may God bless your journey through this Broken Place.