For many of us, our focus in life is too often horizontal, not vertical. What I mean is; we’re people-focused not God-focused.

We work very hard to please the people in our life; trying to earn their approval for various reasons. And some of those reasons aren’t wrong, because they’re motivated by a real love and compassion for our fellow human beings.

We want to influence them for the right reasons, to greatly benefit their life and protect them from a destiny of destruction. Of course, other reasons may be more selfish and hypocritical, like wanting to get a promotion or a raise on the job or wanting something they have that we don’t have.

Both ways are people-focused, which I call a “horizontal lifestyle” because the focus is on people and ourselves, instead of God and a “vertical lifestyle”.

I agree we need both lifestyles, but one should flow out of the other and be a direct result of the other… not two separate lifestyles.

When our lives are vertical, (focused on knowing and loving God) the natural by-product of that lifestyle would be caring for others with a pure heart, not with faulty motives.

Even as Christians we’re living most of our life horizontally. Yes, we share the gospel with more people today than before, but what we’re presenting isn’t life-changing. We’re reproducing ourselves instead of reproducing Jesus!

As Christians, we’re called to re-present Jesus here on earth, but that’s only possible if we are filled inside with Him (living vertically).

God can’t work through us what he hasn’t worked in us.

If our life isn’t vertical enough, isn’t God-focused, we can only give to others what’s inside of us (which quickly runs out).

How can we turn this around and be more vertical than horizontal? Remember that we become more pure-hearted and effective in our horizontal life when we focus on our vertical life. Here are some very practical, life-changing steps.

1.     Pray at least once a day, asking God to give you a pure heart, having right motives. (Matthew 5:8). That prayer lines up with God’s will for you and will be answered.

2.     Make it your business to worship the Lord three times a day. It doesn’t have to be more than three minutes, but it releases what God placed in you…love and adoration for Him. Releasing that through worship strengthens your spirit-man. As your spirit goes, so goes your whole life!

3.     Remind yourself daily (bring back to your conscious mind) how God has delivered you and where He has taken you. Remembering how God’s miracles have changed your life and destiny will immensely help you become vertical almost immediately. I’m sure, like me, Jesus has delivered you many times since He came into your life as your Lord and Saviour. Bring to mind your latest life-changing breakthrough.

4.     Next, share that event with one person every day. Develop the habit pattern of sharing your testimony with one person a day.

5.     Refuse to allow yourself to be offended! When someone offends you, and they will, choose to deal with it immediately. Don’t stuff it down in your heart.

These few steps will keep you vertical and not only horizontal. I assure you; when you live a vertical lifestyle you will have a very successful horizontal life!

(Pastor Gaspar & Michele Anastasi have developed an inner healing Prayer Ministry that offers freedom from damaged emotions and the pain of past hurts. You can learn more about their ministry at www.stophurtingstarthealing.com)