Tuesday, August 21, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning, the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. In the 1970s when the Alaskan Pipeline was being constructed many Texans went to Alaska to work on the pipeline alongside the Eskimos, native Alaskans. However, Texans could only work a few hours in the frigid weather, while the Eskimos could easily work for hours on end. Some scientists decided to do a study to find out why the Eskimos could withstand the weather, while the Texans struggled. The study concluded there were no physiological differences between the Eskimos and the Texans. Then the scientists conducted a psychological study and discovered the difference. The Eskimos experienced the cold, but clearly understood that a job needed to be done. With that mindset, they focused intently on obtaining results rather than how the weather was affecting them. The Texans, on the other hand, were so focused on the cold weather it became their overriding experience of the situation, monopolizing their attention and energy and crippling their capacity to work. It is easy for any of us to focus on the external circumstances of life, and when they are not good, we become distracted. Paul tells us in the book of Philippians to focus on what is good even in a bad situation. When we do, our heart becomes lighter and we fulfill our task as a follower of Jesus.