WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING? : RIGHT-SMACK-IN-THE-MIDDLE!

Sunday, July 26, 2026

RIGHT-SMACK-IN-THE-MIDDLE!

I have to admit… that I haven’t really ever been an extrovertly social person. I can do well and maybe even thrive in large gatherings… but I’d much rather spend time with my family or a few close friends… and if you haven’t figured out by now… especially alone with my late wife. I think some of that… and in particular in my adult life… is because I have tended to find myself in leadership positions whether it be in church ministry or in the secular jobs I’ve had.

And please don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy being part of a team that leads others and helps to develop and bring people to their full potential in their lives. It is very rewarding to see individuals push pass their comfort zones and confidently grow more and more into the persons that God desires of them to be.

But after being under the spotlight (sort-of-say) at work or at the church… and many times both places the same day and evening… I didn’t really want to go out to a social event once I parked the car in the garage, shut the door and walked into the house… and into the waiting arms of my sweet wife and the joyful, welcoming smiles of our kids. Has anyone else ever felt this way… or am I alone in this habit?

Of course, that is not to say that I wasn’t involved in my family’s life once I stepped through the doorway. For me… that’s where the real exciting ACTION of the day was at… and I didn’t want to miss a moment of the adventure!

With a family of four very creative, fun-loving, homeschooled children and a very hands-on wife who not only fostered a close-knit family relationship… but was the one who normally championed their rambunctious activities… and was usually right in the middle of all the exciting ACTION… coming home for me was always something that I looked forward to… and to see what new events awaited me… so I could become a willing participant in the melee!

I mentioned a portion of scripture in last week’s blog post* that among other things, spelled out where each of us can find the source and foundation for any exciting ACTION that we choose to develop, EXPECT and then experience in our daily lives. In the Biblical book of Colossians, we see where Paul wrote,

“So, if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, ACT like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't (just) shuffle along, (with your) eyes to the ground, absorbed with the (worldly) things (ie; problems, needs etc…) right in front of you. (but) Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—(for) that's where the (real, exciting) ACTION is. (so therefore, always seek to) See things from His perspective. (for as a Christian) Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is now your real life—even though invisible (and/or misunderstood) to spectators—is with Christ in God. (for once again…) He is your life.” (Colossians 3:1-3 / The Message – paratheses are my personal inputs)

This translation of these verses makes it exceptionally clear that the source of everything good and exciting that we can experience in this life comes from above… in fact, far above and beyond anything that this world has to offer**… where Christ lives and abides at the right hand of the throne of God! Paul unequivocally asserts that Christ is where the real, satisfying and exciting ACTION is found.

Jesus Himself confirmed this truth when He taught His disciples by explaining to them that,

“If you abide and live in life-union with Me and if My words abide and live powerfully within you—then you can ask whatever you desire and it will be done for you. (for) When your lives bear abundant fruit, you demonstrate that you are My mature disciples who glorify My Father!” (John15:7-8 / EMTV/TPT)

That’s pretty exciting and kind of mind-boggling information… wouldn’t you agree?

And once again, Jesus tells us in the gospel of Matthew to,

“Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. (and) Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (Matthew 6:33-34 / The Message)

I Have to be honest with you… verses of scripture like these stir me up and set my heart aflame with the glory and passion of God… and they drive me to continuously keep my eyes focused above on Christ… RIGHT-SMACK-IN-THE-MIDDLE of where both Paul and Jesus tell me the exciting ACTION for my life on this earth and later through eternity is located! Like Wowser! (Okay… I’m dating myself with slang like that… but you catch my drift!)

You know… Every time I look around my apartment here in Tennessee and observe all the pictures of my wife and family that I have placed on the walls that surround me, I am joyfully reminded of the countless times in which I came home through the years, to the exciting ACTION that was going on in our house… and just as importantly… maybe even more so…

I also think about my daily quest of growing in the knowledge of the truly exciting ACTION that I find above… through my daily adventures in fellowship with Christ in His Word and prayer that have given me the foundation, the vision, the strength and daily blessings of purposely staying RIGHT-SMACK-IN-THE-MIDDLE of where His ACTION is found!