As I have been reflecting and celebrating during this Easter Season I’ve been constantly reminded of what our continual focus should be. I don’t know about you but it isn’t always easy during day to day life to keep that focus.
Along this journey I have encountered some rough and steep places. Like many of you my life has been through the sufferings of sickness, death, broken family, abuse, bullying, financial hardships, and the like. Each time as He has throughout my life, my focus always is drawn back to God and the saving grace of His Son Christ Jesus. In those times I think it is most important to realize that there is one real truth and that is the good news of the gospel of Christ. When our lives are over and our time on this earth has drawn to a close where will your spirit reside?
While we are here though I think it’s important at the end of the day that we remember two simple truths that Christ Himself taught us while on this earth. When asked what the greatest commandment is Jesus had this answer.
“The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31
I ask you, where is your greatest devotion? What do you put your focus on during the joyful times, during the day to day mundane times, and during the hard struggle and suffering times of life? Do you put your trust in your work, your savings or retirement fund, your family, or some other worldly treasure because the bible calls that idolatry. What is first in your life? What is the most important thing? To what do you give your attention on a daily basis?
“Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
But we will remember and trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They have bowed down and fallen,
But we have risen and stood upright.”
I know where I stand: “But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” 2 Timothy 1:12 “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15b
If Christ returned today where would He find your focus to be? Would you even notice Him or would you be glued to the TV or some other worldly thing? Do you find yourself getting lost in God or in some other activity?
These are important questions for us all to ask ourselves today, tomorrow, and everyday for the rest of our lives.
Sovereign Most High God, we bow at Your feet with our faces in the dust because of our tendency to wander from keeping our focus on You. Lord Jesus we thank You for the salvation and forgiveness that You have offered and given to us and we humbly ask Your forgiveness for allowing other things to take our attention off of You. Help us to stay centered on You, keep our focus on You, and to see You and hear You as we lean into You day by day. As for me and my house God, we will serve You! I put my trust, my faith, and my total devotion in You Sovereign God. We praise You and give You all of the glory, honor, thanksgiving, and praise. AMEN!
This Narrow Path... 