#179

Focus, Focus, Focus

So many times my peripheral vision gets in the way. I can’t seem to stay focused on what is in front of me because of the sideline distractions that surface virtually every day. Right now, Tuesday, I am at my desk trying to get my sermon for Sunday at least to the simmering stage so that by Saturday it will be well done. However, there are too many distractions. My son called, always a welcome distraction. Someone called about church softball league. I have a book that I am into on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and it is begging me to read the next chapter.

If anyone had to deal with distractions it was Jesus – hardheaded disciples, traitors, pharisaic religious leaders, the Romans, etc. But He remained focused.

John 4:34

          My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of Him who sent me.

Apparently this scene was a distraction for His disciples as they noticed he was talking to a woman, a Samaritan woman at that.

John 6:38

          For I have come down from heaven not to do my will,

          but the will of Him who sent me.

It seems that He might have been saddened, but not distracted, by those who could not accept His teaching (John 6:66).

Luke 9:51

          As the time approached for Him to be taken up to

          heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

You can almost see Jesus looking in the direction of Jerusalem, if not looking right at Jerusalem, and setting one foot in front of the other totally focused on the will of His Father.

Even in the garden Jesus did not lose focus on His mission. He so understood the ramifications of His mission that He asked for new orders if possible. It wasn't!

Have to wonder if we as individual Christians or as a collective body have lost our focus. Observation tells us that we have. Out there in our peripheral vision are many things that distract us; politics, materialism, self-promotion, idolizing human beings, entertainment, programs, worship styles, preaching styles, etc.

It appears that Jesus gave us our marching orders when he predicted the manner of His death.

John 12:32

         But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will

         draw all men to myself.

Focus! Focus! Focus! We've lost our focus on our mission, and seem to be focused on a host of other lesser missions which will not produce the results of drawing men to Jesus.

Focus! Focus! Focus! Let’s get it back! I can’t even begin to imagine the impact Christianity can have on the world if we stay focused.

Hebrews 12:2

          Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter

         of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the

         cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand

         of the throne of God.