Color Inside the Lines

When I color inside the lines I must focus. I pay attention to the line and make every effort to stay within its boundaries. I focus on the color, angle, texture, style, etc. I swirl some strokes, I soften others, the coloring has my undivided attention.

If I get distracted, and/or choose not to focus. I cannot stay within the lines. At first it may not be noticeable, but eventually it ends up one big coloring mess.

It becomes chaotic, and sloppy. It becomes hard to get my focus back, and my coloring inside the lines. The area inside the lines, where I want to focus, is now all discombobulated! The area outside the lines is distracting, and demands most of my attention.

Isn't this the same as life? When we stay focused, we can push those distractions to the side; our goals, or visions remain strong. Then some small, little distraction of life gets our attention; the kids are cranky, my husband wasn't attentive, my girlfriend didn't call, I gained a couple pounds, my hair, etc. Not quickly, or all at once, but slowly we start to lose our focus. The picture still looks okay, but not as clear. Before we know it, our goals are forgotten, our vision compromised.

I want that beautiful picture! The one that requires focus, paying attention! I want my goals to be important enough that I do not compromise! I want to color inside the lines!

"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:6)