Rich Dixon on thinking about focus:

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Continuing last week’s reflection on Falling And Numbers… What’s your memory of President Jimmy Carter?

A political leader? The Carter Center? His unending work for peace?

For me, the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions President Carter is Habitat for Humanity. I wonder what made a former US President lend his considerable influence to that particular organization? (Was it because Jesus was a carpenter?)

I can’t know the answer, of course. Surely he was touched by the cause of homelessness and the opportunity to provide affordable housing to those in need. But I am certain this:

Homelessness and affordable housing were not his core motivations.

In everything he did, in every aspect of life, Jimmy Carter followed Jesus. Building houses was his calling, his simple way of following, of doing what he could, where he was, with what he had.

I’m thinking about this because last time, when I talked about numbers, I wrote of my desire to stay focused on 22 children. And that, of course, is a good thing.

Until it becomes an obsession. Until I start believing it’s my job to save and support those kids. Until I get crazy when things don’t work out exactly according to my vision.

I’m pretty sure President Carter didn’t think solving the affordable-housing problem was his job. I bet he thought it was his job to follow Jesus and trust Him for the outcome.

Me, too.

Easy to say, harder to accomplish.

Perhaps together, you and I can move into 2025 with a new commitment to do the work – to do what we can, where we are, with what we have…

… and trust Jesus for the outcome.