Soccer Lesson

Saturday we had a training session for our volunteers with a couple of kids that have been coming to the ranch for a while.  One of the girls chose to work with Mystery, the other chose Zip.  Now, Mystery and Zip DON'T like each other.  I don't know why, they just don't get along.  Maybe it's their very different personalities, maybe it's because they both want to be Rumor's favorite. Whatever it is they squeal and kick at each other whenever they are alone together.  However, as the girls worked through their games, the horses' attitudes changed. Their heads came down and they fixed their attentions on their "leaders".  Pretty soon they were enjoying their time with girls, they didn't even notice each other, and they seemed to forget their feelings for one another.  In fact, we brought out the Big Green Ball and played a couple rounds of soccer.  The mares focused on their girls' and played well together.  

It got me thinking; how many times could we quell the arguments and frustrations between members of the Church if we would just focus our attention on Jesus instead of each other?  How many divisions and quarrels could be squelched if we chose to focus on our Leader's direction and goals instead of our dislike or misunderstanding of one another.  James identifies the source of quarrels and strife among believers as our own desires, and asking with wrong motives.  In other words, our focus is wrong.  It's on us instead of Jesus and His plans.  Watching the attitude changes in Mystery and Zip as they focused their attentions on the girls instead of their own goals and agendas, I want to remember that living at peace with my brothers and sisters begins with focusing my heart on Jesus, not my plans and agendas.