Yesterday we pulled the Greenbrier Pregnancy Center float in the 2.5 hour Alderson, WV July 4th celebration.  A lot of work went into the decoration of the float and truck.  Folks rode on hay bales with big smiles as they tossed thousands of candy pieces to hundreds of children aligned along the parade route.  What would cause us to take on such an activity?  Perhaps the most important part of our parade appearance was the men who walked alone side of the float handing out hundreds of gospel tracts and engaging folks in sharing the gospel.  You might say these kinds of activities leave us open to criticism and vulnerability.  We didn't look at it with that perspective.  If we had, we probably wouldn't have done it.  Rather, we committed to representing Christ and leaving the consequences to Him.

The point is this, often when we contemplate representing Christ or sharing the gospel, we focus on what the negative consequences might be to us personally, our church, or our organization.  Focusing on evil consequences keeps us silent and ineffective ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).  Rather, our focus should be totally on God and how He would use our commitment and obedience to work out His perfect plan and purpose in bringing others to know Him and trust in Jesus Christ. 

Focusing on God and not evil consequences is the theme of today's My Utmost for His Highest:

“Don't calculate without God. God seems to have a delightful way of upsetting the plans we've made without taking him into account. When we get ourselves into circumstances that God didn't choose for us, sooner or later we realize our mistake and are filled with regret. The only thing that keeps us from the possibility of regret is bringing God in as the greatest factor in all our calculations.

Does God really mean for us to take no account of evil and wrong? Love isn't ignorant of the existence of evil, but it doesn't treat evil as a relevant factor in making plans. When we calculate without God, all our reasoning starts from the premise that evil must be considered first. God wants us to start from a place of confidence and love.
 
God won't prevent your heart from regret.  Pick yourself up a hundred and one times a day in order to obey.  Do this until you get into the habit of putting God first and calculating with him in view.”

 The GPC float was cheered by most of the hundreds of people along the parade route.  It was good to bring awareness to these communities that the pregnancy center is open and operational.  But we were most encouraged by the receptivity and openness of those who received the gospel tracks.  To God be the glory great things He is doing.

My prayer for you and me this day is this:  Lord, we are so prone to focus on the potential evil around us.  Lord keep us focused upon You.  We take Your admonition seriously:

“For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ...  If any man's work which he had built on it remains, he will receive a reward.  If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss...”  (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
 
Walk with the King today and be a blessing.