Problems or possibilities. Do you expend most of your emotional energy trying to fix problems or cultivating possibilities?

A wise and godly king named Hezekiah focused on cultivating possibilities rather than fixating on problems. He sought to guide a sinful nation back to obedience to the One true God. Specifically, he called for a national observance of the important Passover feast, with less-than-enthusiastic response:

"the couriers passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun, but they laughed them to scorn and mocked them. Nevertheless some men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem." (2 Chronicles 30:10-11)

Now a king has plenty of powerful options as his disposal. An executive order could have been issued for the Israeli military to level the towns and territory of those who scorned his invitation. Or mass executions could have been held to rid the land of the unrighteous. Instead, we see the true character of this godly king in this insightful verse:

"Then Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good insight in the things of the LORD. So they ate for the appointed seven days, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the LORD God of their fathers." (2 Chronicles 30:22)

Hezekiah could have focused on the negative problem of the spiritual apathy of the majority, but instead cultivated the godly initiative and insight of a few leaders. What an outstanding example and lesson! Do we choose to bemoan the woes of the majority or cultivate the godly initiative of the few?

Hezekiah's example is the pattern of Jesus our Lord. The majority were apathetic at best and hostile at worse during His earthly ministry. But there were the few - eleven - who exhibited promise and it was these that He invested in. And you know the rest of the story - these few were the instruments of a revolution that continues to rock the world even today.

George Bernard Shaw is credited with saying, "Some men see things as they are and say why - I dream things that never were and say why not." We face the same choice as Hezekiah - we can bemoan present circumstances and ask, "Why?" Or we can see the godly possibilities and encourage their initiative.

The Kingdom of God is compared to a mustard seed. Amidst a world of evil lies a tiny seed of great potential. We can either focus on the evil field or the tiny seed hidden in the field that is destined to grow and eventually fill the entire world. I choose the seed. There is far more joy and fulfillment in encouraging the Kingdom seed around me than in lamenting the evils of this present evil age.

Where will you focus your energies today?

Steve