Looking at the Wrong Screen — Morning Devotions

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Transcript

We’ve all had moments that are funny in hindsight, but humbling at the same time. Like the father who called his son in a panic because his computer wouldn’t turn on, he checked the outlet, the power cord, even rebooted it again and again, and still nothing. His son patiently walked in through some troubleshooting steps over the phone.

Finally, he asked if there was anything on the screen, and his dad said, yes, it says Samsung. There was a pause. Dad, that’s your TV.

It’s a perfect reminder of how easy it is to pour our energy into the wrong thing. And sometimes we aim all our effort at the wrong target, leaving the real problem untouched. We’ve all been there, I guess, absolutely convinced we’re on the right track, wondering why our efforts are not producing results.

The beginning of a new year, for example, is often the time we make new resolutions. It seems the first of January means just that for a lot of people, taking stock of their lives, making promises to themselves to do and be better than before. Now there’s nothing wrong with that, but it is difficult to know what our goal should be.

Where do we focus our energy?

I was interested to read about Vera Wang in the US who in 1990 launched her own bridal gown boutique. Vera became a big success, is well known in the fashion business, but she wanted to be a professional figure skater from age 9.

And while in high school, she trained withJames Stewart, and she competed at the 1968 US figure skating championships, but she failed to make the US Olympics, and she said, I was devastated when I did not qualify for the Olympic team.

See, something happened and she left the sporting world and entered the fashion industry. What a contrast. What actually happened here? Did Vera have her eyes on the wrong goal in life? I’m not sure. She wanted to win a gold medal in the Olympics, but this proved to be beyond her ability and motivation. Her real passion was in creativity, and she went on to become the editor of the Vogue magazine before becoming a famed wedding dress designer. I’m merely using the story as an example of a missed opportunity.

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So what’s the goal that you’re chasing right now? What are you concentrating on the most?

Chasing the wrong goal can cost you countless time and energy when you could have succeeded in short order by setting the right goal to start with. Chasing the wrong goal brings with it feelings of emptiness, fatigue, anxieties, burnout, and an absence of joy that comes working to achieve it.

And I think there are many people around the world who had to change goals midway because they realised they were chasing the wrong goal. That realisation is the first step toward a journey for a successful life. Don’t be afraid to try again, because in the end, it will all work out for your good. The Bible reassures us that our God is not limited by time.

He is the creator of time and has the power to redeem it. This understanding shifts our perspective and helps us to see that with God no time is ever truly wasted. He can take our mistakes, failures, and lost opportunities and use them to shape our future in ways that are beyond our imagination. Proverbs 14:12 in the Old Testament warns us.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but his end is the way to destruction.

That’s not God scolding us. It’s him waving a big danger ahead sign. Why? Because our human perspective is limited. We can think we’re going the right way, only to discover later that we’re headed off course. In these moments, God might be saying to us, You’re looking at the wrong screen. He is a patient Father who lovingly redirects us toward what really matters.

That’s why it’s so important to ask God for clarity before we waste time chasing the wrong thing. When we feel stuck or frustrated, we ought to pray, Lord, if I’m missing something, please show me. Help me to see this situation from your perspective. Sometimes all it takes is a small change to focus and remove a lot of frustration.

So today, if you’re feeling stuck, ask God, am I focusing on the wrong thing? What do you want me to see that I’m not seeing? God delights in answering prayers like that. And as we go through the day, God has promised us His Holy Spirit to teach and prompt us in the right direction, and that means we don’t have to go alone trying to figure out everything.

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father, thank you for your patience with me when I’m focused on the wrong thing. Redirect my heart and my attention when I get sidetracked. Show me where I’m missing your perspective. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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