Have you removed the knobs?
A man bought a new radio,
took it home and placed it on the bench.
He tuned it to WMS Nashville
and then proceeded to pull off all the knobs.
He had tuned in to all he wanted to hear,
so the knobs were superfluous.
With the New Year approaching very quickly, I think that man has a lesson for us. His mind was closed to anything other than what he heard from WMS Nashville. We might think him silly, but how often do we close our minds and refuse to change our ways?
As we all commence a new year, may we each face it with OPENNESS.
May our desire be to continue to learn; to continue to grow; to be open to new ideas without compromising our ethical beliefs and standards; to continue to develop more loving and caring characteristics; to be better citizens in our community.
As we Christians commence a new year of service for the King of kings, may we face it with OPENNESS: openness to WHATEVER He asks of us; openness to be used by Him WHEREVER and in WHATEVER capacity HE chooses. May we be OPEN to His leading and direction at all times, keeping our focus only on Him and His will.
Someone has said:
Openness is essentially the willingness to grow, with a distaste for ruts.
Remember: the only difference between a rut and a grave is in their dimensions
A good motto for 2011
Therefore , my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowingthat your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
MEETING IN THE CLOUDS 
Ah Ha! I like this post, although I’d have put a spin on Trott’s test match knock the other day. He was so fixed on doing well he totally failed to notice England were all out! His focus was entirely on doing his “bit” in the retention of The Ashes.
Matthew 6:22 JND version “single eye”.
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You’ll have to forgive me if I say I TRY to ignore the cricket this year. After all, although English born I am a dinky-die, true blue Aussie! Your team has excelled and deserve the win but I find it difficult to rejoice.
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You know, we can also reverse the moral of this story, pulling off the knobs after tuning in to what we need. This mental discipline is sometimes the only thing that keeps my focus pointed in the right direction.
That aside, you give a great admonition – would that all take it to heart.
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I’ll have to think about that one Todd.
While I can see benefits of “pulling off the knobs” to assist with maintaining a focus, I wonder if it might limit growth? Even when focussed on a good thing, there is always room for development and improvement and growth.
Of course, pulling off the knobs from things which are detrimental is another story. I’ll willingly pull them off and grind them to dust if possible.
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In other words, sometimes I lose my focus, which goes hand in hand with losing my self-discipline. During these times, I tend to slack off from reading my bible and become lazy toward personal introspection. My reversal of your admonition would take the form of tuning the radio dial to those things that refocus my attention (bible study, self-introspection, focused prayer time, etc) then pulling off the tuner knob through self-discipline.
I view the knobs as available choices, choices that promise more “excitement” and “freedom” than the good station to which I am currently tuned. Periodically, I catch myself “station-surfing” and must then retune the personal dial back to those things that keep me on track. Once I find the correct “station” (again), I use my self-discipline to remove the tuning knobs of “freedom” and “excitement”, thus keeping my focus right where it should be. As the apostle Paul stresses time and again, self-discipline is crucial for keeping our earthly self in check. Without this, we cannot whole heartedly serve God. I hope this clarifies any misunderstanding.
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I guess I understand what you are saying. If it works for you, so be it. Keep it up.
I am all for self-discipline. In fact people who know me well would say that is one of my second names, possibly coming straight after “organised”. I admit I DO sometimes have a battle, but I love what I do so much that not much distracts me from my goals. I find constant communication with my ever-present Redeemer, as we work together, keeps me on track.
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Yet again, you drive the point you’re trying to make home in a simple, yet powerful way!
I hope you had a very Merry Christmas! Wishing you the best in this New Year to come! May God continue to richly bless you!
~ Heather Joy
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Thanks Heather Joy. We had a quiet Christmas this year – the first time we have spent it alone in more than 50 years. Our boys are all holidaying overseas this year but they all phoned us.
I’m sure we will both see great things this coming year as the Lord continues His work in us and through us to reach others.
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A great way to live life, in general! I like the motto for 2011. It is my desire to continue to grow in the Lord. This Scripture came to mind, “But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
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Thanks Paulette. The Word is FULL of good mottos. The one you quote is another of the “greats”
I hope the New Year will bring all you desire, and I know God will continue to bless you and use you to bring blessings to others.
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