Don’t Lose Your Focus!

Sitting in the optometrist chair, I was asked several questions. Which one is better; this one, or that one; this one or that one? Please read off the smallest letters you can read.

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I usually start with the giant letter, E. Though my vision is not considered bad, I do lose focus when the sun goes down. I have a harder time driving at night, than I do during the day. The reason, there is no light.

Our spiritual life is similar. Though the Lord isn’t asking us which lens is better to view the chart, he is asking us, where’s your heart at? How do we begin our week with such vigor and excitement, then lose that same focus by the time we reach Friday? Is it because we’re so glad the work week is finally over, we can relax? Is it because we are so self-focused, we forget we’re to keep strong in our faith, no matter the day or hour? God desires great things for our lives, but we will never attain them if we continue to lose focus.

I’ve often taught others that the word sIn is self defining. Look at the word again. Do you see anything different? If you missed it, there’s a capital I in the word. Sin is simply, being self-focused. The moment we aligned our will to God’s will, he justified us. In God’s eyes, it’s JUST as IF I’D never sinned. Grace is a free gift, and if we take our eyes off Christ, it’s like taking off our bifocals. Things become less in focus and become more out of focus.

Sin is a universal problem. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans [5:12]). We’ve all fallen short of God’s ultimate plan. What does this have to do with Christ-followers? The idea of Christ being our representative, means that those he represents are made righteous. When we lost focus, by not keeping his commands, we’re in sin.

In 2 Peter, we’re challenged to be steadfast and diligent to find our peace. In other words, the more we hang on Christ and remain in him, our lives become stable. We’re called to persevere in godliness, avoid returning to practice what you’ve been freed from, live a blameless life and measure everything by God’s Word. By the work of Jesus we have been sanctified (made holy). Our sanctification produces a life that is productive and effective, but it begins with faith, love and grace.

If we want the blessings of the Lord to flow into our lives, we must keep our eyes focused on Christ. “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on…” If we set our sight and aim on knowing Christ, we will achieve the goal God has set for us. End your week with a bang, keep your eyes focused on the prize of knowing Christ, because if you do, you will recognize God and have both eyes placed firmly on his. When our  mind is fixed on Christ, we will have nothing to lose but everything to gain.

Scripture Reading:

Philippians 3:1-16; 2 Peter [3:14]

Application:

[reminder]What causes you to lose focus? What can you do, through the Holy Spirit, to regain your eternal focus? [/reminder]

Prayer:

Father, I pray as I end my week, that you will lift me up. Teach  me to keep my eyes focused on you, that I may not lose sight. I desire to press onward so I may be made perfect in your sight.. Amen