Where do you focus?
Sometime ago I travelled south for a few weeks and got caught in the chaos that has affected air travel, especially in the southern states. Between an airline not running, engineering problems with a plane from another airline, bad weather and pressure from the beginning of school holidays, the homeward trip was a mess, beginning at Melbourne airport. There the queue for the Baggage Drop went back from the Domestic terminal right into the International terminal! What was amazing was how calmly and politely the overwhelming majority of people took the inconvenience in their stride. Amongst the hundreds of people, the number of people who made an unpleasant fuss could have been counted on one hand. Yet what was really amazing was how little attention those people were given. Everyone, but especially the staff, just got on with being calm and making the best of a difficult situation. I marvelled at what a difference such a focus can make.
In the ordinary challenges and circumstances of life, if we chose to focus on what is negative, we will become people who give out negativity: whingers and unhappy complainers. But if we make the best of a situation and try to find what is good, we will be happy and spread that happiness. At the heart of the Christian faith is the belief that not only has God created a good world but that God’s grace and power can bring goodness even out of profoundly sinful situations. We allow that divine power to work in our lives by what we chose to focus on. In life, in love and in relationships, we can only build on good. Focus on the good and then you will have the power to deal with the difficult challenges.
Loving God, you have made our world and each of us in love and goodness. When life is difficult and challenging, send us your Spirit so that we may be channels of Jesus’ life-giving power and love. We ask this in his name confident that you will hear us.
Sr Kym Harris osb