January 7 - Focus

It’s Tuesday and I think I’m better this morning. Yesterday was a big day for missionary friends of mine. In the mountains of Mexico, they had their 6th baby. It’s pretty amazing to think about where and how they live (2.5 hours on foot from the closest “road”). God has continued to bless them exactly where they are as they continue to serve Him. Their focus remains on what is important, not fancy houses or new cars or even electricity, but on bringing the lost to Christ and discipling the new Christians. 


“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬


We run our race without extra weight only if we are focused on Jesus, our Champion, our perfect role model. When we can do that, all the things the world tells us are important just becomes lost in the peripheral. Try focusing hard on a point on the wall and see how everything else in the room fades. Jesus said that the eye was the lamp of the body and if our eyes are good (focused) we let in light. If not, our body is full of darkness. I know that when I have my eyes on Jesus, not only do I have more of Him, but I also have much more contentment and joy than when I lose focus. That’s when I am agitated, restless and discontent in my circumstances. Focus is key to that abundant life. 


Dear Jesus, we praise you and worship you for enduring the cross. We know you are the author of our faith and only by keeping our eyes on you will we run our race with endurance. Teach us to turn our eyes to only you because when we do that, the rest will just fade away. In John we read that you kept your focus on your Father until His will was completed in you. Teach us to be like you in every way. Your victory over death was not an accident but a result of a total focused life and as a result, You are seated at the place of honor. Hallelujah to the Lamb that conquered the grave. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear friend,

Pam

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