Gratitude That Shifts Our Focus - Your Nightly Prayer - November 4th
Your Nightly Prayer
Audio By Carbonatix
By Angie Grant, Crosswalk.com
Gratitude that Shifts Our Focus
Your Nightly Prayer
By Angie Grant
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
"Set your minds on things above, not earthly things." - Colossians 3:2
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Recently, my son turned 15! As I was reflecting on his life, I was thinking about how he came into our family through the gift of adoption at the tender age of 2. I was overwhelmed not with what gifts to purchase for him, because let's be real, a year from now, or even a day from now, those things will have very little value. He will have outgrown the trendy sweatshirt he wanted, his first phone will be obsolete a year from now, and on and on.
I began to think about the things in his life that would be lasting! His relationship with Jesus and the family that surrounds him. Colossians 3:2 reminds us of this very thing: fixing our eyes on things above, not on earthly things that will fade. Gratitude is something that shifts our focus and causes us to focus on the eternal things. When I think of how our son came to us, I see the infinite value in how God had a plan for his life with us, and eternity was on His mind. What a gift!
In the world we live in, it is easy to get caught up in earthly matters. The bigger house, the newer car- it's all a distraction if we aren't careful! It can be easy to become distracted this side of heaven. There are so many ways our eyes can be fixed on earthly cares. Busyness, comparison, and plain old worry can take our minds captive. Fixing our eyes on eternity has the power to lift us above whatever we may be facing this side of heaven and to root us in a heavenly perspective. We shift from "I don't have enough" to "Lord, you are my provider!" and "I'm feeling so overwhelmed" to "Thank You that your strength is made perfect in my weakness." A heavenly perspective helps us live better and puts our hands to eternal matters.
What would our world be like if we truly lived with eternity in mind? There would be less striving for status and position and more investing in others around us. Relationships would be more sacred, and forgiveness would be a priority. We would be a more generous people- opening our eyes to the needs around us. And most importantly, our mission would be urgent. We would live less for the applause of man and long for Jesus' words to us as we enter heaven, "Well done, good and faithful servant." May our hearts long for eternity, may we remember the old worship song that reminds us that the things of this earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Jesus,
Help us fix our eyes on you- the author and finisher of our faith. Remind us daily to hold loosely to the things of this world and to love people more deeply. Let us live with eternity on our minds. We long for heaven's perspective; we want to see as you see and act as you act. May we reflect today with a heart of gratitude and gratefulness for your presence and Word that is alive and active today.
In Jesus ' name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE ON
1. Where in my life have I been more focused on temporary, earthly things rather than on what has eternal value?
2. How would my daily choices, relationships, and priorities look different if I truly lived with eternity in mind?
3. In what ways can I cultivate gratitude to keep my heart anchored in God's eternal perspective, especially when busyness, comparison, or worry try to take over?
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Djordje Djeric
Angie Grant is passionate about helping others become the best versions of themselves—whether in family life, ministry leadership, or in supporting schools and educators. She’s all in! Her greatest joys—besides Jesus and her husband, Stan—are the four who call her “Mom” (three biological and one through the gift of adoption). An even sweeter title? “Lolli” to her five grandkids.
Angie holds a degree in Child and Family Studies and currently serves on the staff at Cloverhill Church, where she and her husband have been leading for over 25 years. She is the Executive Director of Cloverhill Christian Academy, located in Midlothian, Virginia. Angie is a dedicated advocate for foster children and families, and also serves as a Trust-Based Relational Intervention Practitioner, offering support in her community and beyond. In addition to her roles in church and education, Angie contributes her insight and leadership as a board member for Families First and the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services.
How does she do it all? With purpose and passion—as a coach in family life, ministry, and schools, Angie brings experience, empathy, and a heart for helping others thrive.
