EYES OFF THE GRIND [FOCUS]
In our fast-paced, attention-grabbing world, it is easy to get caught up in the daily grind, get distracted, and lose sight of our true purpose in life—the worship and love of God. Yet we are told to run our race with our eyes focused on Christ: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” - Hebrews 12:1–2
How can we resist the allure of the world and keep our focus where it belongs, on Christ? To focus is to direct one’s attention or concentrate on something. If we are focused on Christ, then He has our attention; we are concentrating on Him and His word; He occupies the forefront of our minds. Such a focus is only fitting, because Jesus “is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” - Colossians 1:18.
By rights, He should be our focus. Colossians 3:1–4 contains much that can help us stay focused on Christ: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” We are to focus on “things above,” remembering that Christ is seated in the place of glory and power (verse 1). The reason for the command is also given: because we have been raised to new life with Christ.
To focus on the things above, we must consciously remove our focus from “earthly things”, and the reason is given: we have died to self, and Christ is our very life. Helping us stay focused on Christ is the reminder that Jesus is coming again, and when we see Him we will know glory. Hebrews 2 lists some of the things that Christ has done or is doing for us: He shared our humanity, He breaks the power of the devil, He frees us, He is our “merciful and faithful high priest”, He suffered for us, and He helps those who are tempted in this world.
Because of all this, Hebrews 3:1, says, “Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.”
Here are some practical ways for a born-again believer to stay focused on Christ:
Commit to reading the Bible
The Scriptures point to me!” Jesus said - John 5:39
Develop your prayer life
Little things, big things—we can come to the Lord with any and all of our cares. The command is to “pray continually” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17, to always be in an attitude and atmosphere of instant prayer.
Trust the Lord as your only protector
“My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare” - Psalm 25:15.
Once we understand the spiritual dangers we face on a daily basis, we will focus more on Christ, our one and only Savior, who alone has the power of deliverance.
Recognize your need and the Lord as the source of all good things
“Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us” - Psalm 123:2.
The world offers various means of obtaining love, joy, and peace, but they are destined to disappoint. The believer understands that love, joy, and peace (and a myriad other fine gifts) are the direct result of his relationship with Christ
Read: Galatians 5:22–23