by David Brenneman
"I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalms 16:8.
What you focus on has your attention. If what you're mind is set on is before you then that's all you will consider.
If it's a game, then odds are good that the proof of what has your undivided attention will manifest itself when anyone or anything interrupts you.
If your mind isn't set then it's going to go anywhere it wants to wander to.
If your determination isn't set then anything goes. Moreover you will do this often enough and it won't bother you.
Does it bother you at all when you're not giving Jesus the attention due Him?
Does it bother you at all that your mind wanders among the worldly thoughts and desires you have, yet you don't seem to miss fellowship with your Savior?
These things should bother those who look to Jesus to be the forgiver of their sins and the leader of their lives.
When someone drives down the road...the road should have their undivided attention. In our world today we have so many people who can't put their phones down to drive safely. They even promote roundabouts as a solution to those who can't stay focused long enough to navigate a stop sign.
Our world is increasingly distracted from the things of God that lead to a more intimate relationship with Jesus.
We just don't realize it or recognize it. I am as guilty as the next person. It's easy to justify wasting time calling it all manner of things such as decompressing from the day. Convincing ourselves of what we earned or deserved.
We do not store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven where moth and rust do not destroy when we aren't focused on the teachings of the Spirit of God.
Daydreaming is frowned upon in schools everywhere. Not focusing on the subjects in class is frowned upon. Children are disciplined to focus and then lose that after they graduate to a world that says it's not important.
To set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world wasn't something that was a good suggestion a few thousand years ago and isn't applicable to today. It's part of the unchanging Word of God that is as relevant then as it is today.
If all the workouts you get Spiritually happen on a Sunday Morning then you will never learn to run with Jesus. You won't ever learn the discipline necessary to keep pace with Jesus.
Those who train for the Olympics have to have an inordinate amount of focus to pursue their dreams.
What we train for in Christ is much more than the Olympics.
What have you allowed to take your focus off of your walk with Jesus?
We can use all the right words to fool people and ourselves to sound all Christiany. But we cannot fool Jesus.
Remember that...Jesus will return to give to each man and woman according to his or her deeds.
EVERYTHING will be looked through. Every thought and intention. Everything seen and unseen. Everything that took our lives left instead of right, right instead of left.
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:34.
What you truly value is your treasure. If it's not Jesus then it most assuredly is something else.
To be truthful, for a long time now I struggled with not having a dream to shoot for. It's taken a lot of work on this often stubborn soul to get me to realize that there's nothing in this world worth shooting for. It's been a waste of my time, energy and effort to pursue worldly desires for success and notoriety. I instead listened to the Spirit and turned to taking that time to get my head and heart deeper into the Word of God.
You cannot learn to focus on your walk with Jesus if you aren't putting in the effort to achieve it.
You cannot blame God for your life not going the way you want when you are the real problem...not whether or not you were obeying God. The Scriptures say that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He didn't change...we did.
We choose what gets our attention. We choose what gets us.
We choose to fully follow Jesus or we choose the couch.
We choose to accept His will for us or we pursue our own will.
Either what He did to save us means everything to us or it doesn't.
It meant everything to the Disciples turned Apostles and it revolutionized the world. They taught new disciples to do as they were taught.
What of you? What gets your undivided attention? What have you willingly put in place of Jesus in your life? You wonder why your prayers aren't being answered...it has everything to do with obeying God before its a considered prayer. You wonder why your stress level is so high...why this peace of God is missing from your life. It's rooted in obedience to God's Word.
We know not how long we have on this Earth. We do know that we should always give of our best to Jesus. Not our seconds or thirds. The Bible says our first fruits.
So what if a game is on...if Jesus says that He wants to talk to you would you do it with an undivided attention?
So what if the world around you is in chaos...Jesus still wants your attention.
When Peter stepped out onto the chaotic water to be with Jesus he was fine because his focus was on Jesus. When he turned his focus and attention to the churning waters he began to sink.
There you go.
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.
You can change your direction today. Refocus on what's important to Jesus for you today. Start working out with Jesus so that you can run with Him. Keep pace with Him.
It's going to cost you. But it's worth it.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.