Where's Our Focus?

A few days ago, my husband read an excerpt of this blog post by Perry Noble to me and it was very challenging (in a good way!) So often our focus in life can be on the wrong things, which is the cause of so many of our problems.

Image by my husband, Jonathan Zajas

Consider these thoughts...

If I focus on my abilities, I will always feel overwhelmed and inadequate…if I focus on WHO God is and WHAT He has done, I will feel confident and secure. 

If I focus on what others say about me, I will feel either pride or pain…if I focus on what God says about me, I will feel appreciative and thankful. 

If I focus on what the world says about money, I will most likely be broke…if I focus on what God says about money, I will be blessed!

If I focus on what the world says about problems, I will be in a constant state of worry and stress…if I focus on what God says about problems, I will see they are nothing more than opportunities to know and see Him for how great He is.  

(Where Is Our Focus? (10 Gut Check Ideas!) by Perry Noble)

These are just a few of the 10 points that he makes, so please click on over to his blog post to read the rest.

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." - Matthew 6:33

When we place God first, and focus on him (and not our problems, other people, the world's opinions, etc.)...then we have absolutely nothing to worry about. He will always take care of everything we need.

So, I encourage you (and myself!) today to evaluate where our focus is. And if our focus is on the wrong things, then let's do something to change that!

With Love,
Tiffany

faith, trust, and taking the first step.

Yesterday was our first official day as the youth pastors of Full Life. Even now, it seems so surreal that we've been blessed with this amazing opportunity. I am just in awe of how God has directed our life, one step at a time, to bring us to this place. And I know that He'll continue to do just that.

During the past couple of weeks I've been doing a lot of reflecting on the past year and the journey that it's been. I've been reading through my Moleskine notebook and journal filled with all my thoughts, questions, and prayers from the past year. One thing that was pretty consistent throughout the many pages was a question - "God, what is your plan?"

I asked this question numerous times over the last dozen or so months...and it's a question that I've asked a lot throughout my entire life. I'm a planner, and ever since I was a child I've loved knowing what to expect so I could be ready for it.

But life isn't predictable. In fact, it is quite unpredictable.

If there's one thing that God taught me (again) last year, it was to trust him completely with my life and everything in it. Trusting someone doesn't mean questioning what they're thinking or why they're doing something...trust is, as the dictionary puts it, "reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence."

During the times I struggled with doubt and uncertainty I would often turn to husband and say "I don't understand..." He would then gently remind me that "we are not called to understand, we're called to obey."

God doesn't often show us the big picture. If he did show me the big picture, I think I might be terrified and try to run in the opposite direction. His plans and dreams for our lives are always so much bigger and better than any plans we could make for ourselves (Jeremiah 29:11). His dreams are bigger than us and our capabilities and way beyond our comfort zone, so that we learn to lean and rely on him.

He shows us one step at a time, and our job is to be obedient and take that first step...and then the next one...whether it's a big step (like moving to Nashville away from family and friends) or a little one (like getting up at 6am to pray and read the word even when I feel like sleeping for a couple more hours). :)

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Martin Luther King, Jr

With Love,
Tiffany

pursuing your dreams.

Dreaming is easy. It takes no effort whatsoever to think of things you are passionate about and daydream of one day doing those things.

But actually pursuing your dreams? Now, that's a different story.

Right now I am in the beginning stages of starting my own photography business. I've been doing market research, perfecting my portfolio, brainstorming about branding, etc. While I am super excited that this dream of mine is finally starting to become a reality...at the same time, I am scared out of my mind! Why? Because starting your own business is risky. Following your dreams {whatever that may be} is risky.

It would be easy for me to give into my fears of failure, take the easy route and go apply and accept yet another administrative assistant position. But I know I would be miserable, because I wouldn't be following my heart.

{photo by me}

I recently heard a couple photographers who are highly esteemed in the industry say:

"I'd rather fail at something I love, than succeed at something I hate."

When I heard that statement, it struck a chord in me. Because it is so true. What's the point in living life half heartedly and never knowing what could have been if only I had tried? Some of the things I regret most in my life are when I didn't do something out of fear of failure, or fear of looking or sounding silly.

I don't want to live my life in fear (2 Timothy 1:7)

My favorite quote growing up was one by Les Brown that says, "Shoot for the moon, if you miss you'll land among the stars." (nevermind that the moon is actually closer to us than the stars...)

Here's to aiming high and pursuing your dreams. :)

i want to go to there.

i want to go to there.

i would love to just go to someplace tropical
turn off the cell phones, and leave them off
not even look at a computer
walk on the beach with my love
stick my toes in the sand

and escape.












{photos taken last summer on vacation in florida}

I'm feeling very overwhelmed lately {and so is huband.} We are both thoroughly looking forward to August...when he has graduated, and we get a vacation! In the meantime, I'm trying to enjoy the here and now, have a good attitude and positive outlook, and resist stress if at all possible {although that is super hard for me...Jesus is helping me with that.}

These scriptures have always been encouraging to me in times like this:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:29-31

What brings you encouragement when you're weary?