journey onWord with us

As the car next to you drifts precariously close, you want to scream, “Get off your cell phone!”. But you stop short, remembering you’ve been guilty of the same, or similar offense. Momentary distractions on the highway can create a lifetime of regret. But in truth, loss of focus in any endeavor eventually takes a toll.  Following Christ is no different! Effective follower-ship demands focus, even with distractions at every turn. All believers are challenged to run the race marked out for us with perseverance. But how do we maintain the right focus?  Simply, but profoundly, we can find the answer in 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.

Fix my eyes on Jesus! Isn’t that what all Christians know to do? After all, it makes logical sense that if I just focus on Him, things will work out right. In years gone by, many people even wore bracelets that said WWJD (what would Jesus do), as a reminder to focus on the qualities of Jesus.  However, really fixing our eyes on Him takes more than wearing a cool bracelet. You may even love the song, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” as much as I do. But having a great feeling during worship as you sing that beloved hymn won’t automatically translate to real focus. It takes more than great feelings or cool bracelets (don’t think I’m against feelings and bracelets) to live a life focused on Jesus. Having said all that, I do firmly believe a Jesus-focused life exists, and is available for every Christ-follower.

Jesus ran the race that the Father marked out for Him to the fullest. His earthly race was marked with difficulty and hardship, but was lived with purpose and discipline. If we succeed in living out our God-designed purpose, it will only be accomplished by fixing our eyes on Jesus. Fleshing this out takes a willingness to surrender our wills to His. And that’s a day-by-day, minute-by-minute, thought-by-thought surrender! May I gently prod you to have a week of laser-like focus on the Son of God? Take the few steps below to help refocus your journey:

• Determine to have a quiet time every day by reading the Word and giving a priority to prayer. Fix your eyes on Him!
• As a part of your daily routine, decide that you will bring all issues to His attention. He knows what they are anyway. What would He do?
• Let your spiritual effort be fixed on Him. He can handle your distractions!

Focusing on Jesus in all things will give clarity to the distractions and hard journey turns that we all face. We may find that the words of Helen Lemmel’s great song become more than just nice church feelings.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.