DVR?

     I love my DVR! My family got addicted to watching The Voice last year, but we weren't always home when it is on. So, we recorded it and then watched it when we had time, fast forwarding through commercials and backing up to see the good parts once again. It's a nice convenience.
      I have caught myself a few times in the car, half paying attention to the radio, missing the traffic or weather or just catching the last part of what the DJ was saying and reaching for the rewind button. Only, there isn't a rewind button on my car radio. I was very disappointed recently when I missed part of Ron Hutchcraft's message. It was a rainy morning and I was carefully making my way to school. Cars coming toward me with bright lights made it difficult to see the dark, wet road. So, while concentrating on staying out of the ditch, I stopped listening to the radio.
      That's when I did it. I reached up to push the magical button to back up the radio and hear what I missed. Sadly, I realized I just had to go on with the day without getting to hear all of the wisdom Ron could offer me that morning.
What about life? Did you ever wish you could rewind and relive a moment that you forgot to pay attention to? Did you lose focus and let a few precious memories pass you by? We all have. At some point we all get caught up in something petty only to realize something exciting was going on all around us and we were too preoccupied to notice.
      There are wonderful times in life when we should indeed get lost in the moment. The minute a newborn baby is placed into your arms. Watching your child receive her diploma, and even though there are hundreds of people around, it's just you and her for now. Sunset. Sunrise. The hush of quite on a summer night. When the doctor comes out to tell you the surgery was a success. Your first kiss.
      Too often things that seem important at the time cause us to miss out on the more important conversation going on around us. Too often things consume us so that we fail to notice the pain and confusion on the face of a friend. Too often people crossing our path need Jesus and won't get him from us. Too often.
      Our challenge this year at church is to Celebrate Jesus. It's a theme I've been focusing on and trying to live out. It's hard. As soon as I decided to deliberately make this a focus, bad things started to happen. Angry, bitter words were hurled. Tension mounted. Frustration at situations I had no control over.
      It's amazing how my outlook changed when I began concentrating on a celebration. This morning I had an appointment that I wanted to cancel. I reluctantly kept the appointment and left rejoicing. I discovered progress where I thought there had been failure. I was encouraged where I needed it most. God provided, and in that moment I had something to celebrate. Not because of anything I had done, but because my Jesus is faithful!
      This week I want to encourage you to be alert. Don't get distracted by stuff. Concentrate on finding the celebration. Jesus is all you need. We don't need a DVR to back up and find him. He's always there. Waiting. Loving. Knowing.
      And remember, when we celebrate something we are quick to share with people. Have you ever said, "Today's my birthday?" What about that time you got a new car (or new-to-you car) and drove it around so everyone you knew could see it? Probably all of us have posted pictures on FB showing off our kids, homes, vacations, parties.....
      Live life to the fullest today. Celebrate Jesus!