Living in God's Zone

We are getting close to the Super Bowl and football is in the air. At least it is in my house. My husband was talking about the game with one of his buddies and since they both played professionally, they talked about being in the zone before big games. Basically, it means you desire to succeed so much that you focus in on the part you play, your position, until all you see is you reaching that goal. In their case, it’s winning a football game.

As I thought about it, I imagined what it would be like to really live in God’s zone doing His will, our part, and so focused on reaching our goal of being with Him eternally. That zone where our faith is so strong nothing can shake it. That zone where pleasing Him is the only goal we have. That zone where we trust Him above everything else. Where we are one with Him—Jesus abiding in us and we abiding in Him.

In that zone, we strive to be like Jesus and be obedient to His will. All other issues and thoughts fall by the wayside. Now some may say that’s impossible because we do live in the world. I get that. But we are called not to be of this world. Getting caught up in the world’s ways causes us to lose focus and it pulls us from our goal of having a close, personal relationship with Jesus.

God’s zone is where we have one on one conversations with Him. It’s being in His presence. When we are truly in that zone, nothing around us can interrupt. We are communing with Him, listening to His voice. We are in the zone and our goal is to be closer to Him. It’s true we can’t do it alone, and we don’t have to. Jesus left us the Holy Spirit who lives in God’s zone. The Holy Spirit is there to guide us, to support us, to give us strength and courage to push forward.

Paul lived in God’s zone after his conversion. He pulled away to pray and come into the presence of the Lord. He spent the rest of his life telling everyone about the Lord and how to live in His zone. He left us so much instruction about how to get there and stay there. Paul went through storms, prison, and shipwrecks, and even faced death more than one time. But he was focused on the Savior and making sure His message was heard by all.

Are you living in God’s zone? What keeps you from staying there? We all struggle with balancing the demands of life and doing the Lord’s will for our lives. Jesus knows about that struggle. Yet He still calls us to Him and tells us our reward for staying in God’s zone is far greater than anything we can experience in the world. Besides, that reward is living now with Him each day, and having everlasting life in the future with Him in His eternal kingdom.

 “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” Jude 1:20-21

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, Lord.” Psalm 89:15

“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” Exodus 33:14

Prayer

Lord,

I will be still, and know that You are God. I will live according to Your Word. I know that as I come near to You, You will come near to me. I will do my best to present myself to You as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Truly my soul finds rest in You; my salvation comes from You. In You I have refuge and strength. In You I have comfort and joy. In You I have the victory and authority. Therefore, I will remain in You and in Your zone. Amen!


Photo by Stephane Coudassot-Berducou on Unsplash

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