FOCUS!

As I was in prayer for what to write today, all I could hear was the chorus of “Jesus, Beautiful One” by Bethel Worship, “We love Your name, Jesus! You’re the beautiful One!” I heard it over and over again. I kept trying to shake it so that I could focus on what God was trying to tell me to write and all of a sudden my eyes popped open. I heard it clear as day! Put your focus back where it belongs! It hit me in the gut but I got excited, y’all! It’s a new year and it’s a great time to do a focus check! Who or what are you using as a guide as you start this new year? Well…God told me this morning that there’s only one right answer and that’s JESUS!

Let me just start by telling you that there is nothing happening in your life that Jesus is not aware of. You know what’s even better than that? He is continually interceding for you. Hebrews 7:24 -25 reminds us that, “because Jesus lives forever, His priesthood lasts forever. Therefore He is able, once and forever to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” (NLT) If you are saved, that’s you! You see, sometimes the enemy wants you to think that you are going through this life on your own. Nobody cares that your finances are mess. Nobody sees your sadness about the loss of a loved one. Nobody is praying for you like you pray for everyone else. Nobody understands why you aren’t married yet. The enemy’s job is to magnify those thoughts and feelings to the point that everything you do is through the filter of what you don’t have. But Jesus, oh Jesus! He is the beautiful one and He is before the Father advocating on your behalf. He is celebrating that His blood covered all of your mess. He is relishing in the fact that the enemy’s future is already decided and He is victorious.  Put your focus back where it belongs!

Sometimes you just need to think about who Jesus is! When everything seems dark in your life, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV) When you are struggling and trying to figure out which way to go, He said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Rev. 22:13) Come on here! That’s your Lord! “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him.” (Matt. 28:18) The story starts and stops with Him! You don’t have to worry about what’s next if you keep your eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12: 1-2 in the Message translation puts it like this. “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.”  Put your focus back where it belongs!

Hear what I’m saying! If you keep your focus on Christ, you can’t go in the wrong direction or be blinded by what the world presents as happiness. Stop letting man dictate how far you can go, when Jesus said that He would be with you always (Matt. 28:20). Stop worrying about how you will make ends meet when Jesus said, “For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt. 6:32b -33) Put your focus back on Jesus! He will guide you through sickness, marital issues, a job search, and struggle to victory! That’s what 2 Corinthians 2:14 told me! Read it! God always leads us to triumph in Christ! Put your focus back on Jesus!  So many things will try to claim your attention from the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep but if you do everything through the lens of Jesus Christ, you will find that everything lines up and works for your good. Put your focus back where it belongs and watch God…

 

Amen.