What's going on?

What’s going on? Who’s knocking on your door?

What if “what’s going on is not what’s going on? What if we are caught up in a story that is mostly NOT the real story of our lives?

Let’s say you and I are like the two children in the book, “The Cat in the Hat.” We’re setting around, somewhat board, but not unhappy with our lives. OK, we’re a little unhappy with the day, the present moment. But for the most part, we have great lives. Then….

The Cat in the Hat By Dr. Seuss

The sun did not shine.

It was too wet to play.

So we sat in the house All that cold, cold, wet day.

I sat there with Sally.

We sat there, we two.

And I said, “How I wish

We had something to do!”

Do you recall what happened next? In came a cat in a hat. The cat in the hat was the driving force in the lives of Sally and Conrad from then on. And what did that cat do? He brought in thing 1 and thing 2. Two kids, trying to make it through a day got sideswiped by a cat and a couple of things. Outside forces broke into their lives. It reflects real life.

So what’s knocking on your door seeking to control and influence your life? What Thing 1 and Thing 2 has entered into your space and filled it with their agenda? Some possibilities are media, family, job, conflicts and God. I put God last because most of the time we don’t have time for Him to truly enter our space and influence us. We love Him. We just lack time to spend with Him.

So back to the question, what if what is going on is not what’s going on? I think most of us feel pressured to live in a word that is “not truly what is going on.” To say it bluntly, media, both social and traditional, are barging into our lives with their story, their events and their perspective. We’re just trying to get through the day. We feel like kids. What can we do to get them out? What power do we have to challenge them?

This morning I was at the gym, trying to get some cardio when I was attacked by 15 TV stations. As I peddled, I was bombarded with judgement, anger, resentment, hopelessness, murder and the chance of thunder storms. I had a cat in a hat in my head seeking to tell me what to think, how to feel, how to judge and what is most important. I ran (drove) home and searched out that passage I sort of remembered on presumption. Ps. 19

As I prayerfully read that passage, I had a change of influencers in my mind. Security became my dominate emotion as I became aware of the Lord. Then I became aware that I am never hopeless or helpless, never trapped.

Equipping Myself for Living

I need a couple of things in my life. I need the actual presence of the Lord. I need the true gospel renewing my mind and heart. As a leader, I am prone to action, choices, making decisions and persuading people with my mindset. If I am not aware of it, things of this world come in and provide for me perspective, drama and decisions based on their agenda. As a child of God, I can enforce my freedom and turn inward to the indwelling Holy Spirit of all I need. Presumption I don’t need.

I invite you to join me in expression your opinion less and seeking to have a Godly opinion more. You’ll recognize God’s thoughts by how hopeful they are. I want you to go a step farther with me and humble yourself, seeking to pass on the heart of God, the message that He can change us. We who follow Christ Jesus can have a renewed mind, a clean heart, a divine sense of justice, a hope eternal and a practical way for all humanity to have peace, not a peace of this world, but the eternal unfailing peace.

Back in the story “The Cat in the Hat,” Conrad breaks into action.

So, as fast as I could,

I went after my net.

And I said, “With my net

I can get them I bet.

I bet, with my net,

I can get those Things yet!”

Then I let down my met.

It came down with a PLOP!

And I had them! At last!

Those two Things had to stop.

Then I said to the cat,

“Now you do as I say.

You pack up those Things

And you take them away!”

“Oh dear!” said the cat.

“You did not like out game…

Oh dear.

What a shame!

What a Shame!

What a Shame!

My net is the Bible and the Holy Spirit. These two things help we take captive my though life and give me a Godly perspective. What is your 2 Things? Please share them in the comments below and encourage others. Share this article if you think it will help or encourage others.

You can read the book online on slide share here.