Tune Out & Turn It Up
Last Christmas I received a MP3 player from my Sweetheart. I have to say it is truly a blessing to me. Working in an office with 600+ employees can get very noisy. Sometimes I just get frustrated–and my thoughts are not very Christ-like. Believe me–they are not nice! Although I try to stay positive and see the good in people, my mind sometimes starts wandering—in the wrong direction…
At times like that, my MP3 player comes in handy. When I hear the people around me, being not nice to each other, I just tune out and turn up the volume. You see, all my MP3 player is ‘loaded’ with are sermons and Christian worship music. As you might know, Jars of Clay is my favorite group to listen to, especially their ‘Redemption Songs‘ CD. The first song on their album is called “Be Merciful to Me†which is based on Psalm 51…and usually the first song I tune in to when I get REALLY frustrated!
With my headphones on and listening to the lyrics get me focused on who I am in Him in this world…
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” ~
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (ESV
~ emphasis mine )
You see, through God’s grace and mercy, we have become His ambassadors. He has forgiven all our sins. Past, present and future. Just as we have been forgiven, so we need to forgive others, especially the ones who do not know Him yet in the way we do. If we start acting like the people around us, how can we be a light in this darkened world? I know that I need those little ‘aids’ to help me stay focused on what is true and pure…
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.†~ Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
What aids do you use during the week to keep your focused when you can not read your Bible? Please do share…
Blessings on your day and as always…
I use my ipod and listen to Way of the Master, Christian music or I’ll download various sermons. I use it on my walk during the day and sometimes when I’m in a waiting room. I love it! I look forward to listening every day.
I also love Jars of Clay!
Praise music in the car, and quiet devotions in the morning to get my thinking on track to where it should be. Great devotion. Have a blessed Monday.
hi iris! well, being a stay at home mama hen i don’t have the problem of back biting co workers…but i do battle my own procrastinations….there is always something to distract me from spending time with Jesus and what helps me is if i turn up the stereo REALLY REALLY loud. good thing i live in a house and not anapartment. hehe shalom to you!
Iris,
You tickle me!!! I cannot even imagin you having a not nice thought. You are the nicest person I know. Really!
I have to tell you that when everyone is off to work and school, I put on the praise music, loudly… I mean it rocks around here. Worship through music can turn a bad mood into a positive, God-loving attitude quicker than anything! Great Post. Have a fantastic Monday! 🙂
I’m an Ipod freak… free preaching. (via podcasts).. the bible dramatized… books downloaded ..and stopping by Laced With Grace each day too;)
Definately stopping by all the great blog places, like this one, but I brought a CD player from home, stored it under my desk and play my own music – all Christian CD’s…and I even work with Christians!!! They like their country music though, and I don’t care for the people who speak on there – just not tasteful.
I bought my hubby an IPOD for Christmas…he loves it and I borrow it A LOT!
When I worked in an office environment, I had to do something similar—tune into Christian radio, pray, focus on Him being with me—to tune out the nonsense around me. Thanks for your post today, Iris. I didn’t think I needed an iPod before but since you can load sermons on it, that might be great to have, even sitting in the doctor’s office, waiting on appts, etc., or walking on the treadmill. I heard the most encouraging sermon the other day, and wished I could have downloaded it.
Sorry I’ve not visited recently but life keeps happening:-)
Love you bunches,
V.
I so know what you mean. When I used to work that was the easiest place for me to lose my focus! I didn’t have an Ipod or MP3 player, I just listened to the local Christian radio station.
Thank you for sharing and being so transparent! Blessings.